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LIBRABY ,0F CONGRESS. 

@]^np. Gup^rig^l f 0. 

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 




J^:^<^\->fi^:-<^.f--:iK.^f 



LIFE OF 

St. Aloysius Gonzaga, 

OF THE 

SOCIETY OF JESUS. 
Edited,/^ 

Rev. J. F. X. O'Conor, S. J. 



WRITTEN BY 

THE STUDENTS OF RHETORIC, CLASS OF '()2 

OF 

St. Francis Xavier's College, 

New York Citv. 



TERCENTENARY EDITION. 



Published by the Editor and sold by all Booksellers. 

St. Francis Xavier's College, 

New York, 

1891. 




3 X'^^o o 



Copyright, iSgi, 
By J. F. X. OXoNOR. 



irmprimatur, 

MICHAEL AUGUSTINE., 

Archbishop of N^c^v York. 



Umprimatur, 

THOMAS J. CAMPBELL, S.J., 
Provincial, 
Province Nexv York and Maryland. 



this little book 

is dedicated to the 

young men and young women 

of america, 

as a short remembrance 

of that dear friend of god 

the pure, the beautiful, the holy 

St. Aloysius, 

who, like us 

living on this earth, 

has, by his beautiful life 

and the fragrance of his virtues, 

taught us 

that we, too, with the help of the god 

who loves us, 

can keep from sin 

and, even amid the whirl of evil around \j3, 

can live holy lives 

and win the blessed crown of eternal joy 

WHICH God promises 

TO THOSE WHO LOVE HiM. 



St. Fkancis Xaviek's College, 
Easter, 1891. 




&h^d, 



Y 



j^^^j> 






JyO^. 



ByF.Mahacelli. 






TO ST. ALOYSIUS. 

/^^ ALOYSIUS, to whose loving care 

^^ Has been intrusted all our youthful life, 

O, list, dear brother, to our humble prayer. 

And lend thine aid to help us in the strife. 
How swift the passing of thine earthly days, 

Yet in their light, what lessons may we learn I 
The ways of God, and truth, and light to praise. 

The ways of darkness and of sin to spurn. 
What honors now with other saints of God 

In radiant glory does thy soul possess ? 
In all, brave boy-saint, hast thou glorious stood. 

High on the summit of great holiness. 
For who of those with whom thou now dost dwell 

Hath e'er excelled thy matchless purity? 
Or who performed the Lord's behest as well 

As thou, with unassumed humility? 
Too holy wert thou for the tainted earth 

Which could not hope to long imprison thee ; 
Too soon, 'twould seem, still pure as at thy birth, 

Thy soul has entered immortality. 



EDITOR'S PREFACE. 

' I ^HE Tercentenary of the birthday in heaven of St. 
■*• Aloysius. 
What is the meaning of a centenary and a tercen- 
tenary ? The Romans of old celebrated the building 
of the city of Rome, not only with annual rejoicings, 
but every hundredth year with the Secular Games, the 
" Ludi saiculares." ** Within the circle of a hundred 
years the life of man is bound," said the poet, and 
speaking of these games, Ovid says, they are ** to be 
looked upon once in a lifetime." The solemn voice of 
the herald proclaims that invited guests have either 
never beheld them before, or never will again. 

Eight hundred years before the Romans, the people 
of Israel held their feast of joy, their jubilee, corre- 



viii Life of St. Aloysius. 

spending to the feast of games of the Romans, not 
every hundred, but every fifty years. It was a day of 
freedom, a day of remission of punishment, a day of 
gladness and jubilation. 

In Christian times, the Jubilee was celebrated every 
hundredth year, in the time of Boniface ; every fiftieth 
year, by order of Clement VI.; every thirty-third year, 
in honor of the years of Christ's life, by Urban VI.; 
and every twenty-five years, by a decree of Sixtus IV. 

Three hundred years St. Aloysius has lived in glory ; 
young, yet venerable ; for, not declining and fading 
years make old age, not gray hair and wrinkled visage, 
but wisdom. He was, if you measure years, a young 
man, but if you weigh the greatness of his life, he had 
reached the summit of old age. 

This Tercentenary honors, therefore, the three hun- 
dred years of his heavenly glory, and this volume tells 
how that glory was merited. 

The present edition, prepared especially for the Ter- 
centenary Celebration of the feast of St. Aloysius in 



Editor s Preface. ix 

America, hopes to offer to American readers a more 
attractive life of St. Aloysius than those at present ex- 
isting in EngHsh. 

What will give added interest is that this life was 
written by a number of young students, all under the 
age of nineteen, the members of the Class of Rhetoric 
of '92, of the College of St. Francis Xavier, New York 
City. 

This life of St. Aloysius is not a translation of any 
work, but the material has been taken from the best 
sources. The authors have drawn largely on that rich 
mine of ascetic treasures, the Acta Sanctorum of the 
Bollandists, and have culled there the original, newest 
and best material at first hand. They have taken all 
that was interesting from the old life of Fr. Cepari, 
first written in Italian, translated into poor French, and 
translated from the French into English, and reprinted 
with an American preface. 

They have also taken what was best and most in- 
teresting from the recent edition for the centennial, by 



X Life of St. Aloyshis. 

Fr. Charles Clair, published in 1891, and secured since 
their own work was taken in hand. 

They claim, therefore, that no effort was spared to 
present to their contemporaries, the young men and 
young women of America, a good life of St. Aloysius, 
written especially for them by American college stud- 
ents, whose hope is that this work will be a tribute 
worthy of the saint in whose honor it was written, and 
bring both to writers and readers a better knowledge 
of St. Aloysius, a greater love for and imitation of his 
beautiful life, and a stronger claim to his powerful 
intercession with God. 

Whatever may be the perfection of the Life, it was a 
noble and beautiful purpose, that of a band of young 
men, striving by their efforts to make better known the 
life of a hero of the Church of God, and the special 
'' Patron of Youth." 



Easter, 1891, 



AUTHORS' PREFACE. 

T^HIS June 1891 we celebrate the Tercentenary of 
^ the feast of St. Aloysius. The Church intends to 
make it a grand occasion — an occasion on which she 
will offer up a pleasing remembrance to God, to His 
heavenly court, and especially to the dear young saint, 
who has merited so great and so lasting an honor, and 
thus to inspire, to elevate us poor struggling and it 
may be straggling followers who are trying to tread the 
path of virtue. 

Rome will put on her holiday attire, and every- 
thing will harmonize with the solemnity of the cele- 
bration. St. Peter's will ring with the praises of St. 
Aloysius; prayers and thanksgivings will ascend from 
the altars ; grand and solemn ceremonies will announce 



xii Life of St, Aloysius. 

that it is a festival of more than ordinary moment 
within the realm of the Church. 

All over the world it will be looked upon as a great 
day in the religious calendar. 

But why all this splendor and ceremony? Has a 
mighty general died? No! Has a learned philosopher 
or theologian passed away ? No ! Has a great orator 
or any of the lights of the world gone to his eternal 
rest ? No, none of these. Has a great hero died ? Ah, 
yes ! And that hero was but a young man. 

Short was his life, but how sweet ! how good ! how 
noble ! A few years of struggle and sanctity, and all 
was over for him. 

Did I say over? Not over, but just begun. For 
while his bones are whitening with the decay of years, 
his name and deeds have spread and spread until they 
have reached the limits of the earth. But even that is 
not all, for while time is, his work is not finished and 
will not cease until the gates of eternity have closed, 
never to reopen. 



Authors Preface. xiii 

But ere the sun has run its course, all this pomp and 
celebration will have passed away. The memory of 
that day may live in the hearts of a few, but to the 
vast throng it will be as if it never had been. 

A few words in Aloysius' honor, written in that faith- 
ful and almost immortal ledger of mankind, books, how- 
ever unpretending they may be, remain for posterity. 
They live when even the faintest recollections of that 
grand celebration shall have sunk into oblivion. 

Wishing, therefore, to do something in honor of him 
who is especially bound to us students by the patron's 
tie, but at the same time knowing our inability to do 
anything worthy of his sacred memory in the eyes of 
the world, we have undertaken a task, small it may be, 
but still a task, by which we hope to make the world 
know him better, and knowing him, the better to honor 
and love him. 

We do not claim for this little book any great merit 
or distinction, but have written it in the hope of say- 
ing a word that will interest our own contemporaries, 



xiv Life of St. Aloysiits. 

of comforting the loneliness and melancholy of a weary 
hour in the room of the convalescent ; in the hope of 
brightening the dark hours of those in sadness and 
adversity; of offering a solace to the sorrowful and a 
pleasure to the fortunate, and, in a word, of guiding and 
strengthening youth and gladdening old age. 

But if this little memento accomplish nothing else 
but bring one or two souls a little nearer to God 
than before, by a knowledge of Aloysius' noble ex- 
ample, and teach them to venerate and cherish a 
saint who parted with friends, power, wealth and 
home to merit the kingdom of heaven, and whose 
whole life was a perpetual vow of chastity and a 
work of penance, we feel that our feeble efforts have 
been amply repaid, and our fondest hopes will be more 
than realized. 

But whatever be the fate of our little work, whether 
it meet with an early death and be soon forgotten, or 
whether it pass down the corridors of time with the 
name of Aloysius, we lay it at his feet as a tribute of 



AutJiors Preface. 



XV 



love, and let its readers ever remember that it was writ- 
ten by a class of students in honor of the grand celebra- 
tion of the tercentenary of a saint, whose life has been 
the guide and model of their youth, and whose holy 
memory they hope to cherish in their old age. 



^^Exegiimis inontimentum cere perenniusr 

" We have erected a monument more lasting than brass." 

F. X. S. 

THE STUDENTS WHO HAVE WRITTEN THIS LIFE OF ST. ALOYSIUS 
ARE 1 HE FOLLOWING : 



Richard S. Tierney 
Francis S. Prunty, 
Thomas F. Rourke, 
John J. Brady, 
Henry S. Sayers, 
James F. Brady, 
Thomas F. Carey, 
John S. Keresy, 



Thomas F. Burke, 
William S. Creeden, 
George J. Gillespie, 
Louis S. Snure, 
John J. Fullam, 
Henry W. McLoughlin, 
Francis J. Heaney, 
Harold H. O'Connor. 



Rhetoric Class of '92, St. Francis Xavier's College, 
New York City. 

Easter, 1891. 



ST. ALOYSIUS. 

Chapter I. 

HIS EARLY LIFE. 

T N the beautiful world of supernatural grace, the saints 
of God have traced by their lives, a dim outline 
of the glory of heaven. The perfections of God, so 
varied and so limitless in their infinite beauty, can never 
be adequately represented by any finite creature or any 
number of creatures, howsoever perfect each may be in 
itself. 

Yet, just as each single star, gleaming through the 
darkness sends a bright ray to cheer our world, tel- 
ling us its message of the glory of the creator of the 
firmament, so the life of each saint, beaming through 



1 8 Life of St. Aloysius. 

the dark sinfulness of a corrupted world, reveals the 
divine beauty of the supernatural life. Such a bright- 
ness was the short, sweet life of Aloysius Gonzaga. 

Like a dream, comes over our memory the vision 
of that favored child of God, beautiful in the spotless 
whiteness of his innocence, joining the purple passion 
flower of penance to the lily of his sinlessness. 

As we recall the two characteristics of his life, inno- 
cence and penance, the contrast with the days in which 
we live is deepened. Innocence seems to flee away with 
the first unfolding of the youthful intellect, and the 
self-indulgent spirit of the times, the softness of fashion- 
able ease, the costliness of modern surroundings, the in- 
sidious claims of culture and refinement, with the 
worship of wealth and ambition, almost brand penance 
as a folly, or, at least, as something needless and out of 
joint with the spirit of the day. 

Worldliness, pleasure, selfishness is eating away the 
hearts of the young. The world's demands are so crowd- 
ing about their thoughts as to shut completely out the 



His Early Life. 19 

view of the real supernatural world of glory that is wait- 
ing for man when this world's little drama of time is over. 

And yet, are there not young souls to save now as 
ever — souls to be transformed into saints? to be mira- 
cles of innocence in the midst of sin, and wonders 
of abnegation in the rush of unchecked indulgence? 
Aloysius can show us what may be done by the young 
man who understands the value of innocence and the 
utility of penance. The reality of his life enkindles 
new faith, makes hope strong and brings a new enthusi- 
asm to charity. 

It has been said that saints are often made by read- 
ing saints' lives. We know of St. Ignatius that one of 
the first motives of his new life was the holy ambition 
that came to him on reading the lives of St. Francis 
and St. Dominic. He said : '' What St. Francis has 
done I shall do. What St. Dominic has done I shall do." 
And from that moment Ignatius began the life-work of a 
saint. May we not hope that something of such a grace 
may come with the reading of the life of Aloysius, or, at 



20 Life of St. Aloysiiis. 

least, that we may be led to thank God for placing be- 
fore us the beauty of such a complete young life? His 
story may be told briefly and simply, for it is not the 
beauty of words and language that brings home to the 
heart the sanctity of a life, but the understanding of 
the earnest spirit with which he ever served God. 

The life of a saint is nearer to us than the lives of 
other men. We know that if we are to gain the laurel 
of an eternal crown our heroism must be like his, and 
when we see that he who has become great in holiness 
had his trials and struggles to reach that end, it encour- 
ages us to aim at a higher life. 

The youth whose life claims the admiration of all who 
love what is good and beautiful belonged to the princely 
family of the Gonzagas. His father was Ferdinand 
Gonzaga, an Italian noble, who, at the period when our 
story begins, was residing in the court of King Philip of 
Spain. 

Towards the close of the sixteenth century, King 
Philip II, of Spain, was at the height of his power. His 



His Early Life. 21 

name was one of the most honored, his fame widespread, 
and his court one of the gayest. After the death of his 
wife, Mary Tudor, Queen of England, he married 
Isabella, daughter of Henry II, of France. On her 
departure from her native land, Isabella brought with 
her, as maid of honor, her intimate companion, Martha 
de Santena, who was descended from a noble family. 

Martha's father was the Baron of Santena, Lord of 
Chieri, and the ruler of several independent fiefs ; her 
mother was Anna della Rovere, daughter of the Duke 
of Urbino. Closely connected \^ith the royal household 
of France, Martha, from her childhood, was the constant 
friend of Isabella. In Spain this friendship continued, 
and often when the Queen was troubled in spirit she 
would seek her faithful friend, confide in her, and find 
comfort from Martha's sympathetic soul. 

The latter's noble character, her deep affection, her 
tender nature, her innocence, her prudence were always 
sources of guidance and consolation. Such was she who 
was to be the mother of St. Aloysius, one who united 



21 Life of St. Ahysius, 

in herself all the qualities of a faithful friend, the 
virtues of a noble and a holy woman. 

In the year 1566, the visit of the King's nephews, the 
Archdukes Rudolph and Ernest, of Austria, was the 
occasion of great festivity. In their train came many 
German and Italian nobles, who helped to make 
old Madrid more than ever a scene of royal pag- 
eantry. Among the most honored was Ferdinand 
Gonzaga, the Marquis of Castiglione. He was a man 
then past middle age. All his life had been spent 
in the camp and amid the dangers of war ; and yet, 
among the frivolities of court-life, among the dangers of 
the field, he always preserved the spirit of a Catholic. 
A soldier among soldiers, always ready for battle, ever 
ready to fight for his country and his faith, he loved, 
perhaps to excess, glory and honor. Sprung from one 
of the noblest families of Italy he was respected and 
honored at court. In all, he was a chivalrous knight 
of the age ; such a one as we might picture Ignatius of 
Loyola, before the siege of Pampeluna. 



His Early Life. 2% 

It was on this occasion then, at the court of Madrid, 
that Ferdinand Gonzaga first met Martha de Santena. 
He learned to appreciate her character and to admire 
her piety. The camps, the glory of a soldier's life, faded 
from his vision as he gazed upon her in admiration. 

One who has found a long-sought treasure can scarcely 
conceal his joy ; his face beams with gladness ; his heart 
throbs with happiness. With such feelings did Gonzaga 
gaze upon the bright and beautiful flower that attracted 
him in the court of Philip. 

He had met many a maiden in his travels in Spain 
and Italy who gladly would have consented to be the 
bride of the princely soldier, but not until now did 
Ferdinand meet his ideal of beauty, nobility and piety. 
But this gem was not to be easily obtained. 

Determined to seek her in marriage, he made known 
his purpose to the King and Queen. In one of those 
pleasant hours which the Queen often spent with her 
friend, Isabella tenderly expressed her wish that Martha 
should become the wife of Ferdinand Gonzaga. 



24 Life of St. Aloysius. 

At first the maiden hesitated. She was still very 
young ; he had already passed the meridian of life ; she 
was retired and humble, caring little for a worldly life ; 
he found his whole pleasure in the world and in seeking 
glory and fame. 

But to please the Queen, Martha was willing to con- 
sider her wish. She frequently prayed, consulted her 
confessor ; and finally, after long communication with 
her own soul, she agreed to become the wife of the 
Marquis of Castiglione. 

After the preparations were made, the wedding was 
celebrated with all the pomp and rejoicing of a brilliant 
court. Surrounded by the brightest social lights of 
Europe, by chivalrous knights and noble ladies, in the 
presence of the king and queen, Ferdinand Gonzaga 
and Martha de Santena were married. And yet all this 
splendor did not hide from the eyes of the happy pair 
their duty to God. On the day of the wedding they 
prepared by the reception of Holy communion. And 
while in that earthly court ladies smiled and nobles 



His Early Life, 25 

congratulated, there was One in the highest, the court 
of heaven itself, Who looked down upon that happy- 
scene and saw fit to bless that union with His special 
graces. 

Soon after the wedding, the marquis with his wife 
returned to his home at Castlglione. Here Martha, 
freed from the cares of court life, continued and even 
increased her pious devotions. Her constant prayer 
was that she might have a son who would be entirely 
devoted to the service of God. The marquis, too, 
hoped for a son, but not for the same purpose as his 
wife. As from childhood he had been accustomed to 
the life of a soldier, and had sought glory for the name 
of Gonzaga even on the battlefield, so he wished a &on 
who would keep that name in honor before the world. 

On the ninth of March, 1568, at this happy home, 
Aloysius was born ; a child destined to be one of the 
greatest saints that the world has ever known. Scarcely 
had he come into this world when the stain of original 
sin was removed by baptism, and from that time 



26 Life of St. Aloysius. 

onward his soul was as clear as the cloudless summer 
sky, as free from any stain as the newly fallen snow. 

He blossomed forth as beautiful as a flower under the 
sunshine of a mother's love. Like Elizabeth, the mother 
of St. Bernard, Martha devoted all her care to teach- 
ing and directing her son. And Aloysius was certainly 
blessed in having such a mother, for no one has more 
power to form a noble character than a good and holy 
mother. 

Her gentle voice calms and soothes him, teaches 
him tenderness, moulds him to goodness ; for as 
the most delicate touch of the sculptor's chisel or of 
the painter's brush helps to delineate the features which 
the artist wishes to represent, so each touch, each word, 
each glance of the mother helps to mould and form the 
disposition, and to influence the character, of her child. 
This Martha de Santena knew, and she endeavored to 
teach him, above all things, piety and the love of God. 
Every day she made the sign of the cross with the in- 
fant's hand , she repeated again and again the names o^ 



His Early Life, 2 J 

Our Lord and of His Blessed Mother until at last her 
heart throbbed with joy when she saw the lips part and 
utter the words ''Jesus," ''Mary." 

It seems that these two names tell the whole life of 
St. Aloysius. He imitated Our Lord not only in inno- 
cence, but as far as possible in suffering ; and from the 
time of his birth he was under the protection of the 
Blessed Virgin and mirrored her purity and love for 
God. 

As soon as he was able to speak distinctly, his mother 
taught Aloysius to say the Our Father and Hail Mary. 
From the time our saint first began to say these pray- 
ers, he loved to go apart and pray; for even at this 
early age, when he did not know the meaning of the 
words he uttered, he would hide in some corner and 
there repeat the two prayers his mother had taught him. 

But the marquis did not like this training for Aloy- 
sius. Such education, he thought, would not fit him to 
be a soldier. An opportunity offered itself for the 
marquis to place him in a more martial atmosphere. 



2S Life of St. Aloysius. 

The infidels were about to wage war on Tunis, one 
of Philip's African provinces, and the king gave Gon- 
zaga the command of three thousand soldiers, then in 
training at Casal. Overjoyed to be once more called 
to fight for his God and his king the marquis prepared 
to set out on his journey. 

He determined to take Aloysius with him, hop- 
ing that the surroundings of the camp would give a 
different turn to the boy's fancies. His mother was 
loath to allow him to go, especially as he was but four 
years of age. But the marquis would not yield, and so 
Aloysius, arrayed in complete armor, started with his 
father for the camp. As may be supposed the warlike 
surroundings kindled in the boy's breast a spirit of 
courage. To make his life at camp still further at- 
tractive the marquis allowed his son to carry a small 
flask of powder and a miniature musket. Aloysius 
took great pleasure in loading and firing his tiny weap- 
on, and in the review gained admiration by his clever 
imitation of the soldiers. 



His Early Life. 29 

But the privilege of carrying powder was taken from 
him on account of an accident. Once, while loading 
his piece, all the powder he had about him exploded 
in his face. Providentially he escaped any serious 
harm, as he was but slightly burned ; but this incident 
caused the marquis to be more cautious in regard to 
his son. 

For some time Aloysius considered himself disgraced 
on account of the unskillful use of his ammunition, and 
one day he determined to redeem his reputation. 

While the soldiers in camp were taking their usual 
after-dinner nap, Aloysius quietly crept among them and 
opening one of the men's cartridge-boxes took out a 
charge of powder. He scampered with his prize back 
to the castle and there loaded and fired a field-piece, 
barely escaping death from its recoil. In a moment the 
whole camp was in confusion. It must be something 
unusual that causes a cannon to be fired at such an 
hour! The marquis cannot understand it and fears 
it may be the signal for a mutiny. He prepares to 



30 Life of St. Aloysius. 

punish the offenders ; but what is his surprise and 
dehght when he learns that Aloysius had fired the 
cannon for his own amusement. Still he would not let 
the misdemeanor pass unnoticed, and threatened to 
punish the boy, but the soldiers secured his pardon. 

A short time after this incident, as the marquis set 
sail for Tunis, Aloysius was sent home to Castiglione. 
On the journey homeward his tutor heard Aloysius 
using some oaths which he had learned from the soldiers 
in camp. 

Roaming at will among the men he naturally heard 
words scarcely fitted for his ears, and without hav- 
ing the slightest knowledge of their meaning, he re- 
peated them. 

But what was his grief on learning that they were 
wrong. He wept tears of bitter sorrow and ever af- 
terwards in life he considered this fault enough to 
make him suffer the harshest penances. 

What a lesson in the sorrow of this little child for 
his unconscious offence ! We, who struggle along the 



His Early Life, 31 

weary road over rou<^h stones and opposing snares, often 
alas falling, rising but to fall again as we continue our 
journey, can we not behold in this picture of a saint, of 
a child weeping for such a fault, can we not see there 
what true contrition is ? Certainly this fault of Aloy- 
sius Avas very trivial. But if it appear at the most a 
little fault to us, to Aloysius it seemed a very grave 
one. 

When Aloysius arrived home, after the first fond 
greetings of his mother, he began to tell of his misdo- 
ings and escapes at the camp. 

She not only thanked God herself, but told Aloysius 
that he should thank Him and the Blessed Virgin for 
his escape from danger. We may rightly suppose that 
God had a special object in preserving this child from 
death, both in the two incidents already narrated and 
in his miraculous escape afterwards from fire. 

God had chosen him as the brightest gem among the 
nobility of Europe. He had chosen him to ascend from 
earth to live in the region of Heaven. As the eagle in 



32 Life of St. Aloysius, 

his flight soars on high and gazes steadily upon the sun, 
so Aloysius, with the aid of God, was to rise above the 
throngs about him, to ascend before the light of Heaven. 
The bright rays of innocence and humility were to rest 
upon him, the fire of true love was to burn within his 
heart ; the spirit of Jesus Himself was to animate his 
soul. 

For a few years after his return, since the marquis 
was engaged in the war at Tunis, Aloysius was left 
alone with his mother. 

Can we not imagine how every morning, as the 
sunlight gleamed through the window, this happy 
mother would call Aloysius to her knee and teach 
him some new prayer, some new precept, speak to 
him of God and of the love of the Blessed Virgin? 
And can we not see, too, that face of the little saint 
gazing into his mother's eyes, angelic with reverence, 
earnest with the pure attention of a loving child ? Can 
we not see those features gleam with joy, as he learns 
some new truth of the God he loves. 



His Early Life. 35 

saint was not lost, for it increased his humility, and he 
behaved with such self-abasement in the presence of the 
servants, that on several occasions they were obliged to 
remonstrate with him. 

He guarded his tongue with the greatest diligence, 
seldom speaking to the members of his own household, 
for he knew that by keeping a watch over his words 
many sins would be avoided. 

The remembrance of Florence was ever afterward 
sweet to him, for it was here that he took the first de- 
cisive step to renounce the world ; it was here also that 
he made a vow of perpetual chastity. 

After leaving Florence, while at Mantua, he was at- 
tacked by a disease which necessitated a constant 
abstinence, and even when cured he refused to give up 
his meagre diet. His friends vainly begged him ; his 
answer was invariably the same, that such a course had 
proven beneficial to his soul. 

At Mantua he shunned all society, never leaving the 
house except to attend mass or visit his uncle. 



36 Life of St. Aloysius. 

As Aloysius' desire for a religious life became more 
and more ardent every day, and as he had resolved to 
relinquish all claim to title and inheritance, as a pre- 
liminary step he begged exemption from attendance 
at court. 

His father thinking that this might be due to ill- 
health, sent him to Castiglione for a change of air. 
Here he was received with great joy by his mother, 
who noticed that his rosy complexion had disap- 
peared. But there was an air of sanctity about the 
child far more pleasing to her. However, she thought 
it her duty to try to dissuade him from his severe fasts. 
She resorted to every means, but arguments and en- 
treaties were alike vain, for although Aloysius listened 
with respect he was unwilling to desist from the prac- 
tice of penance. 

He cultivated every opportunity of growing in holi- 1 
ness, and rejoiced greatly when he was taught to con- ! 
template the Divine Mysteries and to meditate on the ^ 
truths of Redemption. This meditation was productive \ 



His Early Life. 37 

of good results, for it tended to strengthen his union 
with God by raising his mind and soul far above 
the things of this earth. He spent a great part of the 
day in devotions, seldom changing his position, and so 
fervent was he that he was frequently found prostrate 
before the crucifix, pouring forth tears of repentance 
for his slightest imperfections. It mattered little to 
him whether he w^as on the street or in his room, his 
life was filled w^ith the spirit of prayer. 

But it must not be thought that the saint's only 
occupation was prayer, for he found leisure to perform 
numerous charitable deeds. He devoted his time to 
teaching, not only children, but also grown people 
who clustered about him and listened with the great- 
est respect and attention to his explanations of the 
catechism. 

The next important step in the life of Aloysius was 
his first communion, for which he was prepared by 
St. Charles Borromeo, who was at that time in Castie- 
lione. The holy child made the acquaintance of the 



38 Life of St. Aloysius. 

venerable prelate, to whom he laid bare his whole soul. 
St. Charles wondered that one so young should have 
reached such a degree of perfection, and he instructed 
the youth to begin his preparations for first com- 
munion. 

Aloysius prepared his soul by prayer and penance 
for the day which he accounted one of the happiest 
of his life. 

The memorable event was indeed one of exceeding 
joy to him, and it must have been gratifying to St. 
Charles to give the Blessed Sacrament to one whom 
he knew must be very pleasing to his Lord. 

So great was his fervor that at every mass which he 
heard, he burst into tears at the consecration, and did 
not cease weeping until the mass was over. 

In fact, from this day forth there was a marked 
change in the life of St. Aloysius, every action bore 
testimony to the love for Jesus Christ which he had 
learned in his first holy communion. His confessions 
were models of humility, care and contrition, and they 



His Early Life. 39 

filled with admiration the priest who had the happiness 
of being his spiritual adviser. 

A short time after Aloysius had received first com- 
munion, the family was summoned to Casal by the 
marquis, and the journey thither almost proved fatal 
to the young saint. 

In crossing a turbulent stream the horses became 
detached from the carriage, which was tossed about 
to the great danger of its occupants. The dangerous 
position in which Aloysius was placed did not seem 
to disturb him in the least, and he remained as if un- 
conscious, quietly praying until rescued. 

This fortunate escape made the meeting with his 
father all the more affectionate. But when the mar- 
quis gazed on the pallid countenance of his saintly 
child, he could not refrain from rebuking him for his 
rigorous mode of living. His reproaches, however, 
although listened to with the greatest humility and 
respect, did not change the penitential spirit of Aloy- 
sius. 



4Q Life of St. Aloysius. 

His aspirations were always a subject of annoy- 
ance to his father, w^ho determined to allure him 
from the thought of a religious life by worldly diver- 
sions ; accordingly he sought to make him join in the 
games with the other princes. But it was all to no 
purpose. He sent him to Milan to be present at a 
pageant, in which all the nobles of the surrounding 
provinces were to participate. Aloysius respected 
his father's wishes by accepting a prominent position 
among the nobles, but saw little of it all. His heart 
was with God, he could not find time for such pleasure. 

However, he was not without some recreation, for 
oftentimes he engaged in discussion with the monks 
of the neighborhood, and perhaps it was partly due to 
this that he now resolved to embrace the religious 
state. 

When he had made this final decision, he began 
to live in a spirit of penance as a religious. He 
did not allow a fire to be kindled in his room even on 
the coldest nights. In consequence, his hands became 



His Early Life. 41 

so inflamed and swollen from the severe cold as to ex- 
cite great pity on the part of others, but the little suf- 
ferer would take no remedy to relieve his pains. 

Notwithstanding this and the other severe penances 
referred to, the holy youth imposed on himself addi- 
tional mortifications, which reduced him to a mere 
skeleton, and rendered his life one of constant torture. 

His family remonstrated with him, but he felt the 
inspiration to become a great saint by interior and 
exterior penance, and how faithfully he carried out his 
project can be seen in the rest of his life. 

His prayers, which were very numerous, were not 
interrupted by the most severe illness, and on one 
occasion his ardor nearly cost him his life. 

One night, overcome by extreme weakness, and 
desiring to continue his devotions, he threw himself 
on his bed and placed a lighted candle at his side. 
But he had taxed his strength too much, and very soon 
he fell into a sound sleep, from which he was awakened 
by intense heat. The candle had set fire to his bed. 



42 Life of St. Aloysiiis, 

When he arose, flames darted from the burning bed in 
every direction. 

Aloysius never ceased to feel gratitude to God for 
his preservation from such a terrible death. And he 
was more grateful because it was not the first time 
that his Lord had visibly preserved him from dangers 
of soul and body. 

In giving thanks for his preservation, he did not 
know of the glorious end which God had in store 
for him, or that his life had been saved because 
his Maker wished him to live as a model of virtue for 
the youth of all time. Humility, with a nobleness of 
spirit beyond conception, modesty and purity fostered 
as the most precious ornaments of the soul, contempt 
for wealth and honor, all combined to make him pleas- 
ing in the eyes of God and worthy of the love, admira- 
tion and imitation of men. And holy though his 
boyhood was, his youth was not less admirable for its 
sanctity. 



Chapter II. 

HIS PURITY AND PENANCE. 

A MONG the many qualities which so eminently 
■**• fitted Aloysius to be the patron of youth, was 
the purity for which he was so conspicuous throughout 
his whole life. 

Great though his other virtues were, that may be said 
to have outshone them all ; and were all his other saintly 
qualities lost sight of, this one alone would suffice to 
obtain for him that love and veneration with which the 
Church to-day regards him. Even in his earliest child- 
hood, long before the use of reason, he gave promise of 
reaching that perfection of innocence which can be 
likened only to that which the angels possess. And in 



44 Life of St. Aloysius. 

his later life, when surrounded by all that was calculated 
to divert his mind to worldly things, he never once lost 
that baptismal purity which has made him so attractive 
to the young. 

This was not only because he was fortified against 
such temptations by grace, but also because he recog- 
nized the beauty and loveliness of innocence, because 
he knew its delicacy and frailty, and the ease with 
which its lustre could be dimmed. 

So blameless was his life, that words would fail to do 
justice to the subject. The first years of his childhood 
were well calculated to plant in his heart the germs of 
that holiness which blossomed afterwards into so fair a 
flower. He enjoyed the devoted care of a mother 
whose dearest wish was to see her son consecrated 
wholly to God's service, and the child's innocence and 
natural meekness of character served to increase her 
expectations. 

She knew that the impressions longest retained, are 
those which have been made in early childhood ; that 



His Purity and Penance. 45 

the habits formed then are ahvays remembered, and 
influence the whole after-hfe. 

On every occasion she instilled into his mind some 
holy precept, and her admonitions fell upon good 
ground. Her child was unusually bright, and his 
mother found it an easy task to correct his faults and 
to inculcate pious and virtuous sentiments. Aloysius 
responded to all his mother's endeavors, and even at 
a very early age exhibited extraordinary holiness and 
desire of a perfect life. 

The rough manners of the camp and the temptations 
of the court could not sully with any great stain, that in- 
nocent soul which she had moulded to God's service. 

The incident of the camp that has been alluded to in 
the. first chapter shows how deep-rooted were the lessons 
his mother had implanted in his heart, and how far, 
even at the age of four, he had advanced in steadfast 
holiness. For trifling though this circumstance was in 
itself, it exercised an important influence upon the 
young saint's after-life. 



46 Life of St. Aloysius, 

He considered his offense as almost unpardonable, 
and although, taking into consideration his youthfulness 
and the fact that he was wholly unconscious of any 
wrong-doing, we might suppose a slight penance would 
make ample atonement for such a venial sin, Aloysius 
took no such view of the matter. 

He made it the sin of his life-time, and even the rigor- 
ous penances and constant mortifications which he 
afterwards practiced, did not seem sufficient to atone 
for this offense. Be that as it may, it certainly led to 
beneficial results. 

His life in the Avorld was such as to elicit the admir- 
ation of all with whom he associated. He placed a 
guard upon his lips, and to such an extreme did he 
carry his modesty that it is related he never looked upon 
the face of a woman. 

Nor was Aloysius satisfied with being innocent 
himself ; he made and kept others so. Such was his 
horror of sin, especially the sin of impurity, that 
the uttering of an immodest word by others would 



His Purity and Penance. 47 

cause a blush to mantle his cheeks and make him 
seek relief from his feelings of sorrow at the offense to 
God, in copious bursts of tears. 

We have other manifestations of the innocence of the 
heart of St. Aloysius in his life at the court of Spain. 
There he was beset with all worldly temptations, but 
they served only to make him recognize his helplessness 
and entire dependence upon God. 

It seemed as if the devil had no power against 
him, for he kept his spotless robe of innocence 
unsulHed until his death. It was no wonder that 
St. Charles Borromeo rejoiced that it should be his 
fortune to give the Bread of Life to one whose inno- 
cence had already declared him to be a saint. He was 
the theme of conversation among all who knew him in 
the world, and their admiration for his holiness was un- 
bounded, as later in the novitiate he was the source of 
edification, not only to those who were preparing with 
him for the priesthood, but to the priests themselves, 
many of whom were already eminent for their sanctity. 



48 Life of St. Aloysiiis. 

Truly, there could be no better model proposed to 
youth for imitation than St. Aloysius. Joined with 
that perfect innocence, we find in St. Aloysius an 
amazing love of penance. Perhaps, in some other 
saints, there was some grievous sin that induced them 
to mortify themselves, but, as we have seen, the life 
of Aloysius was spotless. There was no very urgent 
necessity for him to practice mortification, and it was 
his pure love for God that sought to express itself in 
this manner. 

Many would consider it wrong to torture the body 
when one has never grievously offended God, but St. 
Aloysius did not look at it in this light. He knew the 
temptations of the world and of the flesh, and he sought 
the best means to combat them. He knew also that 
man's worst enemy is himself, and he practiced morti- 
fication to subdue himself, that the body might not 
enslave the soul. 

He pictured to himself the Saviour's life on earth, 
His sufferings, His passion. His crucifixion, and he 



His Purity and Penance. 49 

wished to testify his love for God by imitating 
Him. He thought of the martyrs dying nobly 
for their faith and rejoicing in their afflictions, and 
he desired to share their glory in heaven by experi- 
encing some of their sufferings on earth. The body 
is a reminder of the world, and it was Aloysius' desire 
to sever his connection with the world. And thus it 
acquired for him many graces and procured for him a 
greater reward. It made his life the holier and his 
memory the more revered. 

And his spirit of penance as well as his inno- 
cence has fitted him to be the patron of youth — 
a model well worthy of imitation in teaching self- 
restraint, a contempt for a life of softness and ease, 
and not only a willingness, but an eagerness to suffer if 
necessary, to avoid sin. 

Throughout the preceding pages, in reviewing the 
many virtues which so eminently distinguish Aloy- 
sius as a model of innocence and purity, none of his 
heavenly gifts impress us more forcibly than this rigor 



50 Life of St. Aloysius. 

of his mortification. Ever faithful in the performance 
of the many stringent obHgations which he voluntar- 
ily imposed upon himself, he was not the less so in 
the practice of mortifying his body. 

And so rigorously did he, throughout his whole life, 
adhere to this practice that we do not hesitate to say that 
his love, at all times most pure and sincere, was doubly 
so in his meditation on the Divine Passion of our Lord. 

With a heart susceptible as it was to the miseries 
and wants of others, he was never more sensitive than 
in contemplating the bitter trials that marked our 
Lord's Passion. Never did Aloysius seek for recrea- 
tion, even at that age when youth most demands it ; 
but while his companions were enjoying their youthful 
games he would retire to some quiet corner, where he 
might be unobserved, and there, with childlike delight, 
he would meditate on the Divine mysteries. 

So proficient did Aloysius become in meditation, in 
that form of mental prayer, which, above all others, 
is the source of sanctity, that his whole being was 



His Purity and Penance. 51 

transformed, and he seemed to enjoy the vision of the 
angels. 

In man, the highest virtue is his love for his Maker, 
God, and although this love asserts itself, as it necessar- 
ily must, in various ways, yet none is more essential 
than self-denial, as is evident from the lives of the 
Saints, and not the least from that of St. Aloysius. 

Men seem to shrink and tremble beneath the 
slightest bodily sufferings, rarely viewing them in a 
Christian spirit, or looking upon them as warnings, 
perhaps, from God. We may look for examples of 
heroism worthy of imitation in deeds of illustrious 
men, but nowhere shall we find a more perfect, a more 
profitable example for the imitation of youth, than in 
the eagerness of Aloysius to find the will of God by 
perfect self-denial. 

From his early childhood Aloysius evinced a great 
desire to deny himself the many comforts and pleasures 
which his father's house afforded, fearing that in indulg- 
ing in such vanities he would be estranging himself 



52 Life of St. Aloysius. 

from God. When Aloysius received his first com- 
munion, his love for God increased still more, and 
with it his mortification. 

The love of Aloysius towards Christ in his Passion, 
inflamed him to manifest it in a way that might be 
pleasing and acceptable to God, and no better means 
did he find than by imitating the sufferings of Christ 
daily, bearing in his body " the marks of the Passion of 
Christ." Every day of his life increased his mortifi- 
cation : when at home he was always seeking new 
means of mortifying his flesh, and when abroad he car- 
ried about with him some instrument of mortification. 

Viewing the life of St. Aloysius by his mortification 
alone, we have a model of consummate perfection for 
the young, to whom he has left examples of innocence 
and purity. From every act of his whole life we may 
draw a practical lesson, for who can behold one zo inno- 
cent, practicing such rigorous penances, and not be 
moved to venerate such hatred of sin, and to ex- 
claim with Aloysius himself : " Would that I could 



His Purity and Penance. $3 

love God with the fervor which His Infinite Majesty 
deserves ! My heart weeps because Christians show such 
ingratitude towards Him." 

We must ever keep in mind the tender age of Aloy- 
sius to fully appreciate the almost incredible heroism 
of his penances. If an older man were to seek such 
sufferings, we would then believe that he saw the 
worthlessness of life, that he had become convinced 
of the great blessings continually being heaped upon 
him, or was impelled by the remembrance of his trans- 
gressions and the desire to atone for them. This, in- 
deed, would be a praiseworthy act. But how far more 
glorious, how far more sublime is it in a young man, 
a prince, to inflict upon his sinless body sufferings de- 
served only by the most guilty sinner! 

We are told that when in adoration of his suffering 
Master, with his eyes fixed on the picture of the cruci- 
fixion, his hands would remain clasped before him and 
raised on high, his frail body quivering, trembling with 
emotion, his lips parted, and from his eyes, tears of 



54 Life of St. Aloysius. 

love would flow. When he looked upon that picture, 
all that Jesus suffered came before him and so pained 
him that he could not keep back the tears. When he 
compared his own life with that of his Saviour's, he 
would feel appalled at the contrast, and fall into a 
swoon. To kneel before this picture was a daily duty 
of sorrow^ful love. No day passed without his asking 
His Lord to make intercession with the Father, to eive 
him the joy of understanding His sufferings, and of 
becoming better acquainted vv-ith His divine Heart. 

For days and days he refused to take proper nour- 
ishment. He delighted to live on a scanty allowance 
of bread and water, and would partake of no other 
food except when compelled to do so. He never knew 
what comfort of body was, finding more than a counter- 
balance of solace in his peace of soul. So earnest was 
his interpretation of what he thought penance to be, 
that he would allow no obstacle to hinder him ; nothing, 
no matter with what sufferings of body it was accom- 
panied, could lead him astray from the performance of it. 



His Purity and Penance. 55 

The Church has given many saints to her divine 
spouse, each one remarkable for some distinctive trait 
in which he approached more nearly to the Saint of 
Saints, Jesus Christ. In one we admire the most 
ardent charity, in another we are awed by the love of 
poverty ; this one shows us the burning zeal of the 
apostle, that other opens to us the depths of humility 
to which a soul may be urged by the love of God. In 
our young Saint Aloysius we are amazed at the com- 
pendium of virtues that his short life presents. We 
behold with wonder a purity and an innocence that 
turned in horror from the slightest stain of sin ; a hu- 
mility that made him thirst with an insatiable longing 
for every kind of abasement in the eyes of the world ; a 
charity, that according to the testimony of Our Lord 
Himself, could not have reached a higher degree of 
perfection, since he laid down his life for his fellow- 
creatures ; finally a spirit of mortification, a love of suf- 
fering so great that we shall scarcely find greater in the 
annals-of God's saints. 



•56 Life of St. Aloysiiis, 

In the first part of the present chapter, having ad- 
mired his innocence and love for penance, we shall 
consider now how complete this penance was. 

This attraction for mortification he displayed at a 
very early age. When scarcely eleven years old, while 
living at Mantua, his doctors had counseled him to be 
very abstemious in his diet. To obey them he prac- 
ticed an abstinence so rigorous that it is a matter of 
great surprise that he could live. Did he eat a whole 
^ggj which rarely happened, he considered that he had 
made a hearty meal. He continued this austere fast, 
not only during the winter which he passed at Mantua, 
but also during the entire summer at Castighone, 
though the doctors and others about him dissuaded him 
from carrying his abstinence to such lengths. 

He was moved to this life no longer on account of his 
health, as was the general impression, but out of a spirit 
of devotion, as he afterwards told his Confessor, Fr. 
Jerome Piatti. The malady from which he had suffered 
disappeared effectually under this treatment, but he 



His Purity and Penance, 57 

injured his stomach, so that he was unable to take or 
retain any food. He had previously been quite stout, 
but now he grew very emaciated, so that in spite of a 
naturally vigorous constitution he suffered from ex- 
treme languor. But little did he care for this in view 
of the great advantage that his soul derived from this 
course of life. Moreover, it gave him an excuse for 
avoiding the amusements at which his position at Court 
would otherwise have obliged him to assist. 

His father took him to live with him at Casal, at 
that time the seat of the Governors of Monteferrato. 
Seldom would he go out to see the pompous ceremo- 
nies that frequently took place in the city, and when 
circumstances obliged him to go, he would take some 
out-of-the-way seat, keeping his eyes cast down while 
his soul held intimate communion with God. 

The marquis returned to Castiglione with his family. 
Aloysius there continued his usual practices of penance 
and devotion, and even increased them, so that it is 
a matter of much surprise that he did not contract 



58 Life of St. Aloysiiis. 

some serious illness, or that his parents, who were 
witnesses of his life, did not forcibly put a stop to such 
austerities. 

Besides the severe abstinence which he had adopted 
at Mantua, he imposed on himself many fasts — on Sat- 
urday, in honor of the Blessed Virgin ; on Friday, in 
memory of the Passion of Our Saviour ; and on Wed- 
nesday, because it was a usual fast day at that time. 
Still other extraordinary fasts were observed according 
to the festivals of the church and the inspirations of 
his piety. 

So little did he eat, that some persons at court, 
among them Camilla Ferrari, wondering how he could 
live, determined to weigh the food he habitually 
took at a meal. These persons testified under oath, 
that what he ate did not amount to one ounce. This 
w^as evidently much less than could be required to 
satisfy the wants of his body, and one is inclined to 
believe that God Himself undertook to sustain his life 
by miracle, as He did for other saints. 



His Purity and Penance. 59 

He would choose at table from among the dishes 
placed before him those which he relished least, 
and after having tasted them he would put them 
aside. 

But the rigorous penances hitherto narrated formed 
only a portion of his austerities. At least three times a 
week he scourged himself to blood, and as he approached 
the end of his life in the world he scourged himself in 
this way every day, and often three times during the 
night. At first, not having a discipline, he made one for 
himself out of the dog-leashes that he found about the 
house, and it is said that he also made use of an iron 
chain. His servants often saw him kneeling in his room 
scourging his innocent body until the blood flowed to 
the ground. 

The marquis on learning these things severely re- 
proached Aloysius, and speaking to the marchioness 
declared that *' the child seemed to wish to kill himself." 

Frequently, as he retired to rest, he would wear near 
his body a piece of rough hair-cloth, and put a block of 



6o Life of St, Aloysms. 

wood in his bed to mortify himself even as to sleep. So 
great was his hatred of his body that he made a cincture 
of the rowels of spurs, whose sharp points penetrated 
into his delicate flesh, causing most keen suffering. 

How great must have been his zeal to advance, when 
thus, at the age of about thirteen years, he found means, 
in the midst of the pleasures of Court, to treat his body 
with such rigor. 

He found in prayer and meditation a new source of 
mortification. Each morning, on rising, he passed an 
hour in prayer, and at night, before retiring to rest, he 
spent one or two hours on his knees in holy converse 
with his God. 

His father was often grieved because he could not 
induce him to leave his room, and he often declared 
to Fr. Malavolta that he had frequently found the floor 
wet with tears at the place where Aloysius had been 
kneeling. 

Still, Aloysius during the day did not find enough 
time to satisfy his desire for prayer, and often during 



His Purity and Penance. 6 1 

the. night would he rise, and in the gloom and darkness 
spend hours in long and profound contemplation. He 
prayed thus on his knees and without support of any 
kind. This practice he kept up not only during the 
summer, but during the cold winter nights, so that 
at times his body was penetrated by the cold, and 
shivering and weak he would fall prostrate to the ground 
and there continue to pray. He himself declared after- 
wards, in Religion, that he was frequently so over- 
come by cold and weakness that he was unable to move 
a limb. 

His efforts to overcome all distractions in prayer 
were such as to bring on a violent headache that re- 
mained with him for the rest of his life. Far from 
complaining or seeking any remedy, he rejoiced to have 
a continual reminder of the passion of his Saviour, as 
long as it did not prevent him from performing his 
ordinary exercises. 

He would frequently pass the entire day in the 
church or in his room, without saying a word to 



()2 Life of St. Aloysius. 

anyone. Indeed, he afterward declared that he spoke 
more in one day as a reHgious, than he had during an 
entire month while in the world, and added that were 
he to return to his family he would be obliged to 
change his mode of life in this respect lest he should 
scandalize those who had formerly known him ; and yet 
there was no more faithful observer of silence in religion 
than Aloysius. 

Of course it would be madness for everyone to en- 
deavor to imitate the saint in this respect. It was only 
the special leading of the Holy Ghost that brought 
him by such unusual ways. But this chapter of his 
life is a divine lesson '' writ large," that the ideal man, 
especially the ideal young man, is one who will be 
pure at any price. 

Among the mortifications which Aloysius practiced 
in the world should be enumerated the extreme watch- 
fulness which he maintained over his eyes and his 
tongue. Never was he known to criticise others, even 
in the most trifling matters ; his words were measured 



His Purity and Penance. 63 

so that no idle, useless language ever fell from his lips. 
As he realized that the eyes are the windows of the 
soul and that sin may there enter into the heart, he was 
most careful never to look upon anything that could 
cause him to offend God. 

In literal imitation of the Prophet who said, *' I 
have made a compact with my eyes that they should 
never look upon the face of a woman," Aloysius, 
while a page in the court of Spain, never looked in 
the face of the Empress Anne of Austria, though the 
duties of his of^ce brought him into her presence every 
day. 

He loved to wear old garments, patched and thread- 
bare, such as the poorest person would disdain to use. 
When, by the marquis's order a new suit was made 
for him, he delayed putting it on as long as he 
could, and then he wore it only a few times to put- 
it aside for his old one. 

Never did he wear the golden necklace and other 
ornaments that were usually worn by the Spanislr 



64 Life of St. Aloysius. 

nobles. These he called Avorldly vanities, and declared 
that he served God and not the world. 

This repugnance which he showed for the things of 
the world caused him to be severely reprimanded by 
his father, who, at first, could not tolerate such con- 
duct, imagining that it brought dishonor on his house. 
Finally, however, overcome by his son's constancy, he 
was led to admire in him what he had not the strength 
to approve. 

It was due to his mortifications that he obtained from 
his father permission to enter Religion. After having 
vainly besought the marquis to allow him to follow his 
vocation, he retired to his room and kneeling down, 
wept bitter tears, and begged of God the strength to 
bear with this trial and to change his father's heart. 
Knowing the efficacy of suffering in prayer, he took his 
discipline and beat himself unmercifully, so that the 
blood flowed to the ground. The marquis, feeling 
that he had spoken harshly to his son in the interview 
he had just had with him, sent the governor of the castle 



His Purity and Pmance. 65 

to him. The governor came to the room of the saint 
and looking through an opening, beheld Aloysius as we 
have described him. Touched with pity at the sight, 
he returned to the marquis with tears in his eyes, and 
said : " If your Excellency could see what your son is 
doing, you would not hesitate longer to allow him to 
enter Religion." 

Ferdinand asked him what he had seen and why 
he wept. " My Lord," said the Governor, " I have 
seen your son in such a condition that no one Avho 
looked upon him could restrain his tears." 

The next day at the same hour, the Marquis, at 
that time confined to his room by the gout, had him- 
self carried to the room-door of Aloysius, and there 
beheld him preparing to scourge himself again. At 
this sight he was filled with consternation, and for 
some moments was unable to utter a word, then he 
ordered his attendant to make some noise at the door 
and to knock. He entered with the marchioness, and 
beheld the floor stained with blood. This overcame 



66 Life of St. Aloysius. 

him and he granted the permission so long desired and 
so earnestly prayed for. 

It was a year, however, before his father could be 
prevailed upon to fulfill his promise of allowing him 
to leave the world, and during those last months Aloy- 
sius so multiplied his austerities that he could scarcely 
stand on his feet. It is certain that he overstepped all 
bounds of prudence in the excess of his fervor. 

His mother made use of this as a reason for urging 
her husband to allow him to carry out his design, de- 
claring that if he continued to withhold his permission 
they would undoubtedly lose their child, whose life 
could not long sustain such constant and severe hard- 
ship. She added that were he in Religion the vigilance 
of his superiors would moderate his ardor by thorough 
obedience. This, indeed happened, and Aloysius him- 
self admitted that the charity of his superiors in putting 
a restraint on his indiscreet fervor had proved no less 
salutary to his bodily health than profitable to his soul. 

Finally, on the 25th of November, 1585, Aloysius 



His Purity and Penance. 6y 

came to Rome, and at the feet of Father Claudius 
Aquaviva made a complete offering of himself to God. 
He had often heard his father say that he that begins a 
work or undertakes a duty, should apply himself with 
his whole soul to perform it well. '' If we miay hold 
this principle in things of the world," said Aloysius, 
" how much more reason for holding it in things that 
regard God ! " 

All his conduct shows how faithful he was to this 
principle, for his every effort was directed to constant 
mortification and continual progress in virtue. He held 
his thoughts in check, because he had become master 
over his senses. These he watched over with scrupulous 
vigilance, and lost no occasion of mortifying them. 
Never was he seen indulging in the perfume of a flower, 
or other agreeable odor. When he visited the sick 
in the hospitals, he betook himself to those whose 
maladies were most repugnant to his nature ; and he 
performed the most loathsome office without a sign of 
aversion. 



68 Life of St. Aloysiiis, 

Disciplines, hair-cloth, fasting on bread and water 
were all used by him to afflict his body, and so great was 
his thirst for penance that it could never be satisfied. 
His delicate health forbade his superiors acceding in 
this matter to his desires. This unwillingness in his 
superiors was the only thing that awoke in him an 
impulse to complain. 

He confessed to a Father one day that in religion he 
performed no penance at all compared with what he 
had done in the world ; but he found consolation in the 
thought that ^^ religion is like a boat, in which those 
who, through obedience, do nothing advance as rapidly 
as those who exhaust their strength at the oars." 

One day, he had obtained from the Master of novices 
permission to fast on bread and water, but the Father, 
perceiving that he had taken scarcely anything at the 
table, ordered him to go to the second table and eat 
what was put before him. He obeyed at once, and 
when one of his companions afterwards jokingly spoke 
to him of this strange way of fasting. '' What can I 



His Purity and Penance. 69 

do," said Aloysius, smiling. '' I am become as a beast 
of burden in thy sight, O Lord." 

Not less exact was he in mortifying his hearing. If 
anyone began to recount the news of the day or speak 
of idle things, he would endeavor to change the con- 
versation. 

His guard over his eyes had been severe in the 
world. In religion he even surpassed his former vigi- 
lance. His faculties were so preoccupied with the 
contemplation of God and His divine mysteries that 
the things of the earth seemed to have lost all attrac- 
tion for him. So completely had he overcome himself 
that he was never led by a sudden movement of curiosity 
to lift his eyes and gaze about him. Sense of taste he 
seemed to have lost altogether, and appeared never to 
notice what kind of food was placed before him, except 
that he preferred what was least pleasant. While 
eating, his mind was occupied by the reading that was 
going on at the meal, or else he reflected on some pious 
thought, on the last bitter drink of our Lord on the 



JO Life of St. Aloysiiis, 

cross, or on the wonders that took place at the Last 
Supper of Our Saviour with his disciples. 

Greater still was hi's watchfulness over his words. 
Were one to lose sight of the great dangers and the 
serious evils to a spiritual life that may arise from 
the unguarded use of the tongue, one might be led to 
consider the care of Aloysius in his words as excessive. 
But he realized the words of Scripture: " He that sins 
not in word, the same is a perfect man." " If any- 
one think himself religious, not bridling his tongue, 
his piety is vain." And he often prayed in the words 
of the Royal Prophet : '' Place a guard, O, Lord, over 
my tongue." 

The whole motive for the love of silence manifested 
by Aloysius lay in the fear he had of committing some 
imperfection in speaking, and again in the fact that the 
spiritual delights with which God inundated his soul, 
took from him all desire to hold converse with men. 
When he had to speak, he weighed, as it were, each 
word that he uttered, and during recreation he would 



His Purity and Penance. J\ 

frequently check himself in his conversation, esteeming 
it better to remain silent, or, did he believe it opportune 
to continue, he subdued himself by a few moments of 
silence. 

Although, as we have seen, he highly esteemed every 
kind of corporal mortification, still he set greater store 
on humiliations, judging them to be more necessary and 
more conducive to progress in spiritual life. So persist- 
ent was his practice of every species of humiliation, 
that he seemed no longer to feel them. He frequently 
sought permission to go through the streets of Rome 
dressed in old patched clothes, with a bag on his back 
to beg from the passers-by. When someone inquired 
of him if he felt any shame or repugnance in this prac- 
tice, he answered : " None whatever ; for I set out to 
imitate Jesus Christ, and think of the Eternal merit I 
can gain." 

During the first month of the saint's sojourn in relig- 
ion, he showed himself so modest and recollected, so 
rigorous in overcoming his senses, so desirous of humil- 



72 Life of St. Aloysius, 

iation, such a perfect observer of his rules, so humble 
and amiable towards his brethren, so fervent in spiritual 
things, so inflamed with charity, in a word so perfect In 
every virtue, that his fellow novices looked upon him as 
a saint and esteemed as precious relics whatever had 
served him for his use. 

So continual and so severe had been his mortification 
since his early childhood, that he seemed to have a sort 
of impassibility that rendered him insensible to . all 
things human. Never was there noticed in him the 
least sign of anger or impatience, or the slightest move- 
ment of passion. 

This is the more surprising since he was naturally of a 
sanguine temperament, quick and choleric beyond boys 
of his age. He had arrived at that perfect calm that 
reigned in his soul as the result of his generous and 
constant practice of self-abasement and mortification. 

He was often heard to say that he that is not a man 
of prayer and mortification will never attain to per- 
fection. 



His Purity and Penance. y^ 

After he left the novitiate to begin the studies 
of the Society he continued his hfe of mortification and 
gave everywhere the most perfect example of the spirit 
of sacrifice. He was ingenious in finding means to 
humiliate himself before others. 

At one time his occupation consisted in brushing the 
cobwebs from the walls of the house. This he did with 
the greatest care, and no human respect ever prevented 
him from performing this lowly office. On the con^ 
trary, he seemed to be on the lookout for humiliation, 
so that when some great personage with his suite was 
occupied in going through the college, Aloysius would 
appear in soiled cassock with his broom in his hand and 
proceed to dust the walls in the presence of the noble 
company. His greatest ambition v/as to be despised 
and to be accounted a menial of the house. This con- 
duct of his was so habitual that whenever the Fathers 
of the House beheld Aloysius passing by, equipped 
with broom and dust-pan, they concluded that there 
was some illustrious stranger in the neighborhood. 



74 



Life of St. Aloys ills. 



He never missed an occasion of going to his superior 
and asking permission to perform a penance in the 
Refectory or to take an extra disciphne. He would 
frequently ask, though he knew he would be refused 
on account of the weakness of his health. 



Chapter III. 

HIS YOUTH, STUDIES, VOCATION. 

/^^F all the periods in the hfe of man the most im- 
^"^^ portant, the one on which depend the highest 
interests, is the tim.e of youth. The child, it is true, 
forms many habits which give shape to his future, but 
he can scarcely be said to realize the meaning and the 
purpose of his existence. He lives in the atmosphere 
of innocence and even after reason has sway, he beholds 
in life a certain amount of fable and fiction. He is 
mystified ; he wonders ; but he does not totally com- 
prehend the value of life. 

In those few years however, between our childhood 
and the time when we enter upon our determined 
work, we begin to know what life means ; to understand 



76 Life of St, Aloysius, 

what is expected of us. It is at this time, while still 
under the care of our parents, we learn that we must 
choose our own path. The days of youth then are 
the brightest and the most important in our existence. 

To that part of our saint's life we have now come 
which claims especially the attention and consideration 
of young men, although all, old as well as young, can 
find here many a noble lesson. Even at this early day 
St. Aloysius, young in years, was old in judgment and 
virtue. 

In another chapter of his life, his deeds of penance 
and mortification during this period were dwelt upon at 
a just length, but here we glance at two phases Avhich 
must enter into the life of every young man, namely 
his studies and his choice of a vocation. 

As we have already seen, he received his first 
knowledge from the lips of his fond mother. From her 
he first learned to lisp with affection the name of Jesus, 
and to love the name of Mary. By her he was led on- 
ward to the light of God's grace. 



His Youth, Studies, Vocation. yy 

And truly it must afterwards have been a great 
joy to that mother, when she beheld the sanctity of her 
• son, to know that she was the first, in the hands of 
God, to have instilled into his soul sentiments of love 
of God, and to have impressed upon his mind thoughts 
of purity. And, as she was the first to teach him the 
truths of religion and to place before him principles of 
piety, so, too, was she the first to instruct him in the 
rudiments of education. He received then the funda- 
mental frame-work for his studies at his home in Cas- 
tiglione. 

In the year 1577, how^ever, the marquis, in order to 
give his children all the benefits of a good education, 
determined to send his two sons to Florence. At that 
day, Florence was the great centre of education in 
northern Italy. There art and literature flourished. The 
standard of classical studies had been elevated, and the 
university of that city had become one of the most 
renowned of Christian times. 

Of course, our saint, as he was only nine years of age 



78 Life of St. Aloysius. 

did not enter upon any very advanced study of the 
classics or of art ; the main object of his stay at 
Florence was to learn the Latin language and to perfect 
himself in his native tongue. 

Nevertheless, even in this short period of the life 
of St. Aloysius, one can learn a lesson on beholding 
his zeal and application to whatever duty was assigned 
him. 

To-day, as in fact at all times, the student has many 
tasks imposed that are naturally disagreeable. And 
generally too, the student grumbles at these tasks ; he 
does not want unpleasant work. Why should he inter- 
pret classical authors or write Greek or Latin exercises ? 
Why should he spend hours in working upon his essays ? 
Why pore over the beauties of literature, or drone over 
the difficulties of grammar? 

Such are his thoughts, and his work at times may be 
brought to a conclusion in neglect and haste. What a 
model of student life and work was St. Aloysius. He 
too was compelled to study, and to do work, no doubt. 



His Youth, Studies, Vocation. yg 

distasteful. Under the guidance of his tutor he became 
proficient in his studies. 

He had to work out a passage in Latin as well as any 
other who has studied the ancient writers. No kind 
hand placed the meaning of the words between the 
lines, because he happened to be a saint ; no invisible 
helper arranged the words that they might be more 
easily understood. No Divine inspiration gave him 
the correct thought of a passage in Cicero or of a 
verse in Sophocles ; but this he was obliged to do for 
himself. 

So far he was the counterpart of any other stu- 
dent. But now comes the lesson. Did he grumble be- 
cause his work was unpleasant ? No, but he received 
the task with joy. Did he object because he was com- 
manded? No, but he welcomed every obligation. We 
are not told that he took a special delight in study ; we 
are not told that he was far more capable of this work 
than most young men. But if a lesson were disagreeable, 
with the spirit of a follower of our Lord, he made of that 



So Life of St. A I oy sins. 

unpleasant work a means of merit. He performed it 
with diligence ; every particular vras carefully attended 
to ; for he understood that every deed done in obedience 
was done for God's honor. 

So in this young student at Florence we have an 
example of zeal, patience, attention and even of that 
which is higher than all these, an example of love 
for God. 

The effect of this saint's example is still more 
heightened when we consider his surroundings. He was 
of one of the noblest families in Italy, looked upon as 
the coming heir to all his father's possessions and titles, 
courted and respected by all the nobility of Florence ; 
and yet how does he value these honors? He looks 
upon them as worthy of contempt. 

Far from desiring or welcoming them, he rather shuns 
them. He does not seek the presence of his equals in 
rank, but remains at home engaged in study and devo- 
tion. The only time we hear of him in the society of 
the nobility, during his days at Florence, is when he 



His Youth, Studies, Vocation. 8 1 

and his brother, in accordance with their father's wish, 
visit the Grand Duke to pay that noble the customary 
attention due his rank. 

In November, 1579, when St. Aloysius was eleven 
years of age, the marquis removed his two sons to Man- 
tua where they lived at the Castle of St. Sebastian. His 
studies here were continued under the direction of 
Father Bresciani and always with the same zeal and 
good w^ill on the part of Aloysius. 

At various times he was compelled to take part in 
the celebrations at court, as the Duke of Mantua was 
a cousin of the Marquis of Castiglione ; and Aloysius 
knew that any disrespect show^n to the duke, who was 
the head of the house of Gonzaga, would be displeasing 
to his father. 

However, the ceremonials, the grandeur, the empty 
frivolities of court-life were anything but agreeable to 
the serious and devout mind of our saint. It was 
while here that Aloysius was first afflicted with sickness, 
yet every suffering was received with joy and patience. 



82 Life of St. Aloysiiis. 

But we must give our attention to other matters 
which have a weightier claim on our consideration. 

After the winter had passed, the marquis and his fam- 
ily returned to Castiglione. We have already seen how 
he met here St. Charles Borromeo, from whose hands 
he had the great joy of receiving his first communion. 

Here, as at Mantua, he continued his studies, but 
what claimed his attention most were books of relig- 
ion, the life of Christ, of the Blessed Virgin, and of 
the Saints. 

Even for his study of the classics, he did not select 
books that touched upon light or trivial matters, but 
rather chose those which, even though written by 
Pagans, would still be useful to his soul. He studied 
such works as those of Seneca, Plutarch and Valerius 
Maximus which treat of morals, and, we are told, that 
he often made use of these works in his conversation. 

It was in the year 1581, as we have seen, that the 
marquis and his wife with their children, Aloysms, 
Ralph and Isabella, set out for Spain on the invitation 



His Youth, Stiidics, Vocation. 83 

of Philip II., to be present at festivities to be held at 
his court. 

This was to be an eventful epoch in the life of 
Aloysius, for it was during this visit that he deter- 
mined upon his vocation and upon the particular way 
in which this vocation was to be followed. Arriving at 
Spain, Aloysius and his brother were made pages of 
honor to the young prince. Study took up a great part 
of the saint's time, for he knew there was no royal way 
to learning. 

He had finished the study of the classics and 
literature in Italy, and now, going a step higher, he de- 
voted his time to logic, astronom}', philosophy and 
natural theology\ In the first he was taught by an 
ecclesiastic of high rank, while the king's mathema- 
tician, Dimas, by name, taught him the motions of the 
stars and planets. 

In philosophy and theology he became so profi- 
cient that two years later, while visiting at Alcala, 
he took up the argument in a theological thesis, at 



84 Life of St. Aloystus. 

the school there, and displayed so much knowledge 
for one so young, that all who heard him marveled. 
We have a proof of his proficiency in the Latin 
tongue when, in 1582, he was selected, though against 
his own will, to deliver a Latin address before King 
Philip. 

The time was now at hand for St. Aloysius to take 
action in obtaining the one aspiration of his life, to be- 
come a religious. As we have seen, the marquis wished 
Aloysius to enter upon a military career. He thought 
that court life would soon drive awa;/ from the mind of 
his son all thoughts of a religious life. But this result 
did not follow. Aloysius was confident that his call 
came from God and he determined to act consistently 
with that vocation. 

The first attractions our saint saw in a religious life 
were when, at the age of thirteen, he paid a visit to the 
Barnabite Fathers of St. Paul Beheaded, near Cas- 
tiglione. He beheld in these devout priests true 
examples of happiness ; he saw the tranquillity of an 



His Youth, Studies, Vocation, 85 

untroubled conscience ; he saw the quiet and calm of 
the life of a religious as compared with the noisy and 
ever-varying life of a man in the world. 

And all these made on his young mind an impres- 
sion which was never effaced. Gradually the wish 
grew upon him to become a religious. The things of 
the world and of life which before he had disliked, he 
now began to hate. Soon his aspiration changed into a 
firm resolve to enter upon this life in which he could 
devote himself wholly to the honor of God. 

And so we see him with this purpose in mind, even 
before he set out for Spain. The sights at court, in- 
stead of weakening this purpose, as the marquis had 
hoped, only urged him to immediate action. 

It was this aspiration in his heart that impelled 
him to go frequently to the sacraments, to practice 
piety and perform works of penance, to flee from 
the attractions of court, to be simple in his attire even 
to a degree far below his station. His coming among 
a number of nobles caused all light talk to cease, and 



86 Life of St. Aloysiiis. 

immediately the conversation took a serious and gener- 
ally a religious turn. 

He despised himself, he thought not of the earth, but 
only of heavenly things, so that it seemed as if a 
heavenly spirit had entered into him and dwelt in a 
bodily frame. 

Aloysius at first thought he should join the order of 
Franciscans in Spain, because of his love for mortifica- 
tion ; but for two reasons he relinquished this idea. 

The first was that if, on account of his weak condition, 
he were not able to undergo the mortifications, he 
would be brought back into the world as an ecclesias- 
tic, and the second reason was that his mother was 
strongly opposed to this choice. 

His nature was not inclined to those orders that 
devote themselves entirely to active life and to the as- 
sistance of those in suffering, but it was inclined rather 
to a life of contemplation. He pictured almost a 
heaven in the lives of those men who could give them- 
selves up to meditation of divine things, who could 



His YoiitJi^ Studies, Vocation. 87 

pierce the mists and clouds of life, and with the eyes 
of the soul look upon the glories of eternity. This 
would have been a paradise for Aloysius. 

But even here, when his whole future depended 
upon his choice, our saint gave up his own desires, and 
remembering that St. Thomas had said that those 
orders gave the most glory to God, which did not de- 
vote their whole time to contemplation, but which gave 
part of their time to teaching and preaching in the 
work of salvation, he determined to enter one of these. 

At last he chose the Society of Jesus, then established 
about one hundred years. There were four principal 
reasons that caused this choice. First, because this 
was a newly instituted order, and all religious duties in 
it were carefully observed. Second, that in this society 
a vow was taken never to accept any ecclesiastical dig- 
nity. Third, because the Society of Jesus devotes so 
much time and labor to the education of youth. 
Fourth, because one of the Society's principal objects 
is the conversion of pagans in foreign lands. 



88 Life of St, Aloysius. 

These reasons had great attractions for Aloysius, 
for his humiHty would not allow him to accept any 
dignity, and he looked upon the education of youth 
and the conversion of the heathen as two works most 
pleasing to God. 

He wished to be assured of his choice. He 
confided in his mother, who approved of his pur- 
pose, and he prayed to the Blessed Virgin to give 
him means of knowing whether his choice was pleas- 
ing to God. 

For this purpose he prepared to receive communion 
on the Feast of the Assumption. While praying to our 
Blessed Mother, he received an answer clear and defined 
in his inmost soul, by which he was convinced that he 
was divinely called to enter the Society of Jesus. 

Immediately, as commanded by the voice within him, 
he made known his intentions to his confessor. Father 
Paterno, of the Society of Jesus. This w^orthy priest, 
after due deliberation, saw that the vocation of the 
youth was clear, but told Aloysius that he could 



His Youth, Studies, Vocation. 89 

not be received by the Order without the consent of 
his parents. 

This our saint immediately endeavored to obtain. 
He told ail to his mother. Can we imagine the tearful 
joy of that mother as she heard these words of gladness? 
Her hopes, which she had entertained even from the 
birth of Aloysius, were about to be realized. For this 
purpose she had spent many a happy hour in Casti- 
glione, teaching her saintly son ; for this one purpose 
she had always guarded, watched over and cared for 
him. Now she saw that her son was about to give his 
life to the service of God, and the one hope of her life 
was to be realized ; her one wish was to be granted. 

His father, on the contrary, was enraged. The mar- 
quis did not wish to offend God, but as he himself had 
spent all his life as a soldier in the cause of his country, 
or at the courts of nobles, so he wished Aloysius, 
his eldest born, to follow him as his heir, to keep his 
name in glor^^ on the battle-field, and to perpetuate 
the dignity of the Gonzagas at court. This was the 



90 Life of St. Aloysius, 

marquis' fondest Avish, and it was dashed to the ground 
by the few words in which his son announced his 
intentions. 

He bade Aloysius leave him, and threatened even to 
have him stripped and beaten. He tried in every Avay 
to fancy that the zeal of his son would disappear, but 
in vain. Finally, as he was a good Christian, he was 
compelled to cease his opposition to the vocation of 
his son. This was in 1583, when Aloysius was fifteen 
years of age. 

Father Francis Gonzaga, a cousin of the marquis, and 
General of the Franciscans, happened to come to Madrid 
at this time, and he, too, was convinced of the voca- 
tion of Aloysius. 

One day our saint resolved to take a decided step, 
and so, when passing the house of the Jesuits with his 
brother and servants, he left them and determined to 
remain there. They tried to dissuade him, but to no 
purpose, until the marquis himself sent a command for 
him to return at once. This he obeyed. 



His Yoicth, Studies, I 'ocation. g i 

The marquis tried to induce Father Francis to per- 
suade Aloysius to give up his desire of becoming a re- 
Hgious, but this the father could not conscientiously do. 
Finally the marquis agreed that as soon as they re- 
turned to Italy he would allow his son to follow his 
own inclinations. How he kept his promise, we shall 
see. 

Father Gonzaga accompanied the family on their 
journey homeward, and from conversation with him 
Aloysius learned much of the life and duties of re- 
ligious. During the voyage they had many long and 
grave conversations, which, as our saint afterwards told 
Father Cepari, made a deep impression on his soul. 

Aloysius looked forward to his arrival in Italy, w^here 
he thought he would be free, but alas ! his hopes were 
to meet with disappointment, for the marquis, still 
cherishing the idea of dissuading Aloysius from his pur- 
pose, delayed the fulfillment of his promise, because he 
wished our saint and his brother Ralph to visit many of 
the nobles of Italy to announce the return of the 



92 Life of St, Aloysius. 

marquis to Castiglione. Aloysius could do nothing but 
submit, and so he underwent again the disagreeable 
observances of court-life. 

After this round of visits was completed and the 
brothers had returned to Castiglione, we again find 
the marquis striving to turn Aloysius from his 
purpose. He had gathered many persons of high 
dignity to bring objections before his son. The first 
who came was a bishop, sent by Duke William, with 
a message to the effect that if the life of a layman were 
unpleasant, let him embrace the ecclesiastical state but 
remain in the world so as to be raised to honor and 
dignity ; for in such a position much good could be 
done as might be seen from the example of Charles 
Borromeo. 

The second objection came from Aloysius' uncle, 
who had interests at stake, for his own property 
was to fall to Aloysius, and in order to retain it in his 
family he wished his daughter to be married to the 
heir of Castiglione. 



His Youth, Studies, Vocation. 93 

But his objections failed like those of the duke's 
messenger. These were followed by pleadings of influ- 
ential persons in the family, but all to no avail. They 
failed, and one, the arch-priest of Castiglione, was gained 
over to favor Aloysius. 

After all these efforts the marquis on questioning 
Aloysius found that his purpose was unshaken. At 
thi.s the infuriated father, in a fit of passion, ordered 
his son to leave him. Our saint took him at his word 
and retired to a convent which the marquis had estab- 
lished on his grounds. Near the convent there was a 
grotto, and thither Aloysius retired with his books and 
subjected himself to strict penance and mortification. 
For some time he was hft alone. 

On learning the whereabouts of the saint, the father 
at once ordered him to return home. Aloysius obeyed, 
but in his own room at the castle he redoubled 
his former penance. He would scourge himself until 
blood was caused to flow. A servant related the severe 
mortification Aloysius forced himself to undergo, and 



94 Life of St. Aloysiiis. 

the marquis, who was then sick, commanded his ser- 
vants to carry him to his son's room. 

There such a sight of suffering and pain met his 
eyes, that his anger was turned to pity, and his ob- 
stinacy to wilHngness. Such was the effect of it that 
not long after, the marquis wrote a letter to Scipio 
Gonzaga, patriarch of Jerusalem, and brother of Francis 
Gonzaga, general of the Franciscans, permitting him 
to offer to the general of the Society of Jesus his 
eldest son, the dearest possession he had on earth. 

At last the saint had touched his father's heart. 
Afterward, indeed, the marquis still showed some 
unwillingness, but at present all went smoothly for 
Aloysius. 

In the letter of the marquis to Scipio Gonzaga, he 
suggested that Novellara be chosen as the place for 
Aloysius to make his novitiate. He wished this because 
some relation of his family lived at that place. But 
Aloysius, desiring to be as far as possible from those he 
knew in the world, wrote to the Father-general, stating 



His Youth, Studies, Vocation. 95 

his father's disHke to his joining a rehgious order, and 

asked that some other place be chosen. 

The Father-general wrote to the marquis, saying 

that he thought Rome would be the best place for 

Aloysius to spend his novitiate. From a letter of 

Aloysius at this time, we can see how thankful he 

was, and we can also see that all preparations were 

made for him to relinquish every title to the property 

of his father. The letter runs as follows : 

" I thank your Reverence for this great benefit, but words fail me 
to express, as I wish, the extent of my gratitude. I give myself up 
entirely to your wishes, while awaiting the time when I shall be per- 
mitted to go and throw myself at your feet. If I do not fly instantly 
to Rome, it is because my father requires me to make a formal 
renunciation of ail my hereditary rights to the IMarquisate of Casti- 
glione, in favor of my brother. Although the consent of the Emperor 
is needed for this transfer, since the fief is independent, I hope soon 
to terminate this affair." 

Everything was being arranged for the departure of 
Aloysius. About this time, however, another delay 
ensued. The marquis had some negotiations to be car- 
ried on at Milan, and being unable himself to attend 
, to these, he sent Aloysius to transact the necessary 



96 Life of St. Aloyshis. 

business. He had been commissioned often before to 
transact business, and in this case also he conducted 
everything with prudence and abihty. 

While at Milan, Aloysius remained at the Jesuits' 
house, and followed the religious exercises there. For a 
number of days he waited, expecting ever^^ moment to 
be called home to complete the transfer of the titles. 
He heard that the Emperor had given his consent, and 
he now wondered why he was still kept at Milan. 

One day, at last, the marquis himself came to Milan, 
and with the old desire still in his heart strove to turn 
Aloysius from his purpose. This time he entreats. He 
begs Aloysius to stay in the world ; to be a good ruler 
over his people ; to honor the name of Gonzaga. 

Aloysius heard with respect, but was firm in his re- 
fusal, for he felt he was called by God. The marquis, 
however, determined to abide by the decision of Father 
Gagliardi, a Avell-known priest in Milan. Aloysius was 
brought before both his father and the priest and 
there examined. 



His Youth, Studies, Vocation. 97 

Father Gagliardi at last decided that Aloysius was 
right in wishing to enter on the Hfe of a rehgious. Upon 
this decision the marquis returned to CastigHone, whither 
Aloysius followed in a few days. On his journey from 
Milan to Castiglione he stopped at Mantua, where 
there was a celebration in honor of the ambassadors who 
had just returned. The city was one scene of festivity, 
but this was no attraction for Aloysius, and he remained 
at the house of the Society of Jesus, following their 
religious exercises. 

Many days passed after his return before the matter 
of his vocation was mentioned, but at last he himself 
suggested that the time had come for him to complete 
all the arrangements. 

Then the marquis, with persistence in his obstinacy, 
said that he did not recollect making any promise to 
this effect. Aloysius was amazed. He had pictured 
troubles and delays, but to be denied in this manner 
was the worst blow he could receive. His father said 
of course he could go, but if he did he would be no 



98 Life of St. Aloysms. 

longer recognized as the son of the Marquis of Casti- 
ghone. 

Aloysius retired to his room in tears. At length, 
striving to conciliate his father, Aloysius expressed his 
willingness to put off his entrance" into religion for 
two or three years. Two conditions, however, were 
attached to this agreement. First, that he should be 
allowed to spend the interval at Rome, and secondly, 
that the marquis should at once send his consent in 
writing to the Father-general. For two days he re- 
fused, but finally consented. 

At last the one wish of Aloysius was granted ; the 
one object of his desires was attained. After a little 
delay all preparations were completed for him to sign 
the deed of renunciation to all his titles. This was 
done at Mantua, in the presence of many princes of the 
land. There he renounced riches and power, and em- 
braced poverty and humility. 

The next morning he set out for Rome, accompanied 
by attendants. On this journey he still kept up his 



His Youth, Studies, Vocation. .99 

usual spiritual exercises. When at last Rome was 
reached, what joy must have come to his youthful 
heart ! 

What a lesson of perseverance his life affords ! This 
young saint had overcome the objections of a worldly 
father ; he had resisted the words of many princes ; 
he had fought with troubles and delays, and at last 
he came out the conqueror. Truly, God sent these 
sufferings to try our Saint. Aloysius at last gained his 
wish. He entered the house of the Society of Jesus 
at Rome, and there we leave him in the joy and 
happiness of a peaceful home. 



Chapter IV. 

HIS NOVITIATE. 

'I X /"E have followed the saint in the dangers' and 
temptations which beset him in the world, and 
have beheld his earnest perseverance and victory over 
the powers of darkness. From early childhood he had 
Drayed that the Holy Spirit would direct him in his 
choice of a state of life, and, following that light which 
had been given him, had determined by the grace of 
God, to enter upon religious life in the Society of Jesus. 
The object of this society is the greater glory of God, 
Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam, and the sanctification of souls. 
The questions asked of the postulant for admission 
acquaint him at once with the life that awaits him — with 



I02 Life of St, Aloysius, 

its aims, its duties and the sacrifices it demands. '^\re 
you ready," he is asked, '' to renounce the world and all 
hope of temporal goods ? Are you ready, if necessary, 
to beg your bread from door to door for the love of 
Jesus Christ? Are you ready to reside in any country, 
and to embrace any employment wherein your supe- 
riors may think you will be most useful to the glory of 
God and the good of souls? Are you ready to obey 
in all things, in which there is evidently no sin, the 
superiors who hold toward you the place of God ? Are 
you resolved to renounce generously, without reserve, 
all those things which men in general love and em- 
brace, and will you accept and desire with all your 
strength what our Lord Jesus Christ loved and em- 
braced ? Are you prepared to accept, in imitation of 
him, humiliations, unmerited contempt, calumnies and 
insults?" 

If the postulant answer these questions and some 
others, of a like nature, in the affirmative, he is received 
into the novitiate, where he remains two years in deep 



His Novitiate. 103 

seclusion and constant prayer, laying aside all study 
with the exception of a short lesson each day as an 
exercise of the memor\\ 

He devotes himself solely to the attainment of vir- 
tues, particularly those of child-like obedience, humility, 
self-abnegation and perfect poverty. Part of his time 
is spent in attending to the work of the house, teaching 
the catechism to poor children and visiting the sick in 
hospitals. 

It was to this high and noble life that Aloysius re- 
solved to dedicate himself, renouncing the world with 
all its brilliant prospects. With joyful soul he longed 
to submit himself to rules which promised to exercise 
him in virtue and remove him far from the blighting 
influence of error and sin. The master of novices. 
Father John Baptist Pescatore, himself a ver}^ holy 
man, soon recognized the saintty character of Aloysius. 
He saw that there was confided to him a most sacred 
charge which imposed a weighty responsibility. His 
experience taught him that it was necessary to treat 



I04 Life of St. Aloysius. 

Aloysius with the greatest prudence so as not to injure 
or damage the precious gifts of humility and obedience 
which adorned his soul. 

While in the world Aloysius had acquired the habit 
of doing all things with great exactness and care. In 
the same manner, but with even greater diligence, he 
now performed the duties which were laid upon him by 
his superiors, and displayed at all times wonderful 
obedience and humility. While walking, Aloysius had 
a habit of bowing his head and casting his eyes down. 
In order to try his obedience, to foster the virtue of 
humility, and to cure him of this habit, the master of 
novices ordered him to put on a pasteboard collar 
which would force him to hold his head erect. With 
much edification did th^ holy man behold the youth 
wearing this instrument of humility with smiling coun- 
tenance, and performing his duties in a joyful spirit. 
Doubtless Aloysius held before himself the thorn- 
crowned head of his divine Master, and therefore was 
happy in his soul to suffer humiliation for His sake. 



His Novitiate. 105 

Let us not suppose that St. Aloysius was always free 
from temptation and that he always experienced fervor 
in spiritual exercises. He had, it is true, previous to this 
period, experienced a holy fervor in his religious prac- 
tices ; but now, in a religious community, surrounded 
by all that was calculated to make him devout, he 
was oppressed by dryness and desolation. But though 
he thus suffered, Aloysius ceased not to perform his 
usual devotions with all possible zeal and exactness, 
submitting in this, as in all things, to the holv will of 
God. Thus did God trj^ our saint ; thus, in His 
goodness, did He bestow on him the means of obtain- 
ing greater merit by performing his spiritual exercises 
without the consolation usually attendant upon them. 

This trial, however, did not last long, for after a 
short time Aloysius experienced his former fervor and 
heavenly consolation. The devil now assailed him, 
tempting him with the questions : '' What use can the 
Society of Jesus make of you ? " '' What have you come 
here to do?" With great violence did the powers of 



io6 Life of St. AloysiiLS. 

darkness thus attack him. Aloysius, however, soon 
discovered the import and the source of these questions 
and quickly banished them. 

He had been two months and a half in the Society 
of Jesus, when he received news of the death of his 
father. The feelings of natural love, responding to 
the Divine Will, had been supernaturalized ; therefore, 
when he learned the sad news, he received it with 
perfect resignation. Great was the edification of the 
Fathers, to behold in one so young such conformity 
to the will of God. The marquis had died a happy 
death, and for some time previous to his last illness had 
exercised himself in works of penance. Afterwards, in 
a letter of consolation to his mother, Aloysius wrote : 
" Now^ I may say — in a true and new sense — * Our 
Father, Who art in Heaven.' " 

When in the world, Aloysius had carefully shunned 
every fault, had kept a watchful guard over his senses ; 
and now in the Society of Jesus he strove with even 
greater diligence to use them in what was most pleasing 



His Novitiate. 107 

to God. He seemed always to bear in mind that 
man must give an account of every idle word he utters, 
therefore he cherished silence and avoided all useless 
conversation. When his equals or inferiors addressed 
him on some idle topic, he would admonish them ; 
when so addressed by one whose dignity forbade such 
an admonition, he showed by his manner his distaste 
for such conversation. 

The desire of mortification, which he displayed 
in his observance of silence, was borne out in his 
treatment of all the other senses. He was never 
known to enjoy the scent of a flower. 

How varied the ways that God has manifested to 
His saints of giving to Him honor and glory ! St. 
Theresa was raised, by the perfume of flowers, to a high 
degree of contemplation. It was the part of Aloysius 
to glorify God by forbidding himself even the most 
permissible indulgence, that he might honor the pas- 
sion of our Divine Lord, and make reparation for sin 
— the cause of that passion. 



io8 Life of St. Aloysitis, 

He loved to visit hospitals and to nurse those af- 
flicted with contagious diseases. The sweet perfume 
of virtue must surely have pervaded those sick-rooms 
and refreshed the invalids when this young saint, 
with loving care attended to their wants, endeavor- 
ing to alleviate their suffering. His kind and sympa- 
thetic heart, which had no regard for himself, melted 
with loving charity for the suffering of those around 
him. 

He guarded his eyes while in the world ; in Religion 
he was even more watchful over them. When sent one 
day to the refectory to bring the Rector's book, he did 
not even know where the Rector had been sitting, so 
careful had he been not to indulge his curiosity. 

The novices were accustomed to visit a very pretty 
vineyard in their daily walk. One day they went a 
different route and visited another. When they re- 
turned home, Aloysius was asked which of the two 
he admired the more, when, to the surprise of all, he 
acknowledged that he was not aware even that they 



His Xovitiatc. 109 

had been to a strange vineyard, but he remembered 
that in his walk he had that day seen a chapel which 
he had not before noticed. How great must have 
been his inward recollection, when naught of this world 
had even the least attraction for him. He found his 
happiness in the things of heaven ; he needed nothing 
else. 

Many might consider his strict silence and guard 
over his eyes as the result of scrupulousness ; but such 
was not the case. His confessor, Fr. Bellarmin, has 
testified that he was entirely free from scruples. Such, 
however, was the purity of his conscience that he de- 
tected the slightest faults and was accustomed to refer 
them to his superiors. 

His freedom from scruples is evident from the follow- 
ing. Out of a spirit of religious poverty he had always 
loved old clothes. When sent one day to the tailor for 
a new cassock, the mortification which he felt was 
evident in his manner. His Superior advised him to 
examine his conscience carefully and see whether this 



no Life of St, Aloysius. 

did not arise from some species of self-love. Aloysius 
complied, and during several days assiduously exam- 
ined his motives. He then reported to his Superior 
that he was unable to discover any defect in his inten- 
tions, and felt certain that self-love had not prompted 
him. 

Aloysius considered that the abasement of self is 
more beneficial than even corporal austerities. He 
would often seek permission to go into the streets of 
Rome and beg from door to door. When asked if he 
were not ashamed, he would answer that he set before 
himself the example of Christ and the eternal reward, 
adding, with the good sense which was characteristic of 
him, that he could not see any real cause for mortifica- 
tion : " People who see me, either know me, or they 
do not. If they do not know me, I ought not to care 
what they think ; and if they do know me, I really lose 
none of their esteem ; on the contrary, they may prob- 
ably be edified, so that, in fact, there might be more 
danger of vain glory than of shame, for even the 



His Novitiate, ill 

worldly often admire those who make themselves poor 
for the love of God." 

His patience in receiving reproof, even when the cor- 
rection resulted from some misunderstanding, was mar- 
velous. In fact, he rejoiced when reproved, and his 
joy was the greater if the reproof was undeserved. He 
was sent on one occasion to assist the brother in the 
kitchen. This brother was instructed to try Aloysius by 
finding fault with all that he would do. The brother 
obeyed, and even complained of what had been most 
accurately done. 

Great was the good brother's astonishment when he 
beheld Aloysius receiving all reproofs with profound 
humility and reverence, not once attempting to justify 
himself. He recognized in his Superiors the authority 
of God, and the more lowly their rank, the greater joy 
his faith experienced in obeying them. 

Aloysius bore rebukes with so tranquil a counten- 
ance, and with so humble a demeanor, that it has 
been said that he experienced joy rather than pain on 



112 Life of St. Aloysiiis. 

such occasions. But there was one species of mortifi- 
cation which brought a blush to his cheeks, and evi- 
dently ruffled the tranquillity of his pure soul ; and 
that was when he was praised. 

A doctor who was visiting him while sick, spoke one 
day of Aloysius' noble birth and illustrious ancestors, 
lauding the deeds which had given honor to the house 
of Gonzaga. Aloysius, disturbed and grieved by the 
doctor's words, replied, ^' We are now religious and no 
longer what we were." From this incident we can well 
understand how Aloysius despised the rank of this world 
and considered that true riches consist in purity of soul. 

After three months spent in the novitiate of San An- 
drea, the novices were sent on a visit to the Professed 
House of the Society. Gladly did Aloysius repair 
thither, hoping to gain many spiritual benefits from the 
example of those who were of higher rank in Religion. 
Great benefit, however, was derived by the Scholastics, 
and even by aged priests, in beholding the sanctity of 
Aloysius. 



His Novitiate. 113 

Our saint's devotion to the Blessed Sacrament, 
proved here a source of great edification. The Fathers 
loved to hear him discourse on this subject, and from 
each conversation carried away some fruitful knowl- 
edge. 

They themselves related that they celebrated the 
Holy Sacrifice with a fervor greater than usual on 
the mornings following the days on which they had 
listened to Aloysius. At the Gesu, the saint often 
served five or six masses in one morning, assisting at 
each with great devotion ; he never grew weary. 

He was more thoughtful, however, in regard to 
others ; whenever he perceived a companion fatigued 
he hastened to the Superior and respectfully men- 
tioned the fact. He spent the time intervening 
between the masses in devout prayer and medita- 
tion. 

The time had now arrived when he had so complete- 
ly gained the mastery over his passions, that he was 
unable to discover in himself even venial offences. 



114 Life of St. Aloysius. 

Fearful lest this proceeded from spiritual blindness, 
he anxiously sought the advice of his Superiors. He 
was entirely passive, trusting altogether in God. Yet, 
by nature, he was neither phlegmatic nor dull, but 
quick, ardent and sensitive, with perceptions and feel- 
ings at all times beyond his years. The victory was 
therefore the triumph of God's grace, operating in con- 
junction with an indomitable will and an untiring per- 
severance. 

Near the end of October 1586, it was decided by the 
Superiors of the Society to send Father Pescatore, 
who had been ill for some time, on a visit to Naples. 
Aloysius and two companions, who were themselves in 
poor health, accompanied him. At Naples, as had been 
the case at Rome, he edified all by his conduct. Many 
were accustomed to watch at the door of the college in 
order to see him and observe the example he gave, 
even when walking. 

During the time he remained at Naples he suffered 
very much from headaches. Here he was allowed to 



His Novitiate, 1 1 5 

mortify himself in many ways which his superiors at 
Rome had not permitted. 

His dehcate health seems to have been forgotten 
through regard for his sanctity. He was allowed to 
go out attired in clothing suitable only for warm wea- 
ther. The novices were accustomed to visit the Pro- 
fessed House on Sunday afternoons, and there assisted 
at Vespers. Often on such occasions, when the weather 
was most inclement, Aloysius was permitted to make 
this visit, when other novices in delicate health were 
forbidden by the Father Minister. 

In consequence of these, and other circumstances, 
his health grew worse, till he was finally sent back to 
Rome. His return to the Holy City was hailed with 
joy by his fellow-novices who had felt the loss of the 
gentle, loving, saintly character that had brightened 
and hallowed the days spent among them. 

The two years of his novitiate were now ended. He 
had faithfully observed his rules in all things. He had 
set an example which has been most fruitful, and 



ii6 



Life of St. Aloysius. 



which will last till the end of time. In short, no 
greater praise can be given to him than that he was a 
perfect novice in the Society of Jesus, which has pro- 
duced so many Saints, who have rendered illustrious 
the golden pages of the History of our Holy Religion. 



Chapter V. 

HIS SCHOLASTIC LIFE. 

A LOYSIUS had now passed two years in the So- 

ciety of Jesus, and on the second anniversary of 

his reception into the order, November 25, 1587, he 

pronounced his first vows, promising eternal allegiance 

to God, in poverty, chastity, and obedience. 

During his noviceship, Aloysius had obtained a com- 
plete mastery over self, over all his senses and pas- 
sions, and had advanced to a high degree of sanctity. 
To his companions he was perfect. Wherever he 
went, whatever he did, he was always the same, ever 
recollected, walking in the presence of God. 



Ii8 Life of St. Aloysius. 

The completion of his noviceship, and his first vows, 
was indeed a great happiness for Aloysius. For one of 
the ambitions of his life was acquired. He was now 
drawn much nearer to God ; he felt that he had cleared 
one of the deep abysses which, wide and yawning, lay 
on the path which leads from earth to Heaven. 

A letter to his mother, written shortly after his vows, 
shows us something of the spirit of the young saint at 
this time. 

'* My most honored mother in Christy most illustrious 
Lady : 

" I have lately received a letter from you, which 

caused m.e much joy, from the good account it gave of 

yourself and of the whole family, and not less from 

what it told me of my brother, whom may our Lord 

direct even as I hope. This I recommend to God in 

my prayers, only begging you to salute him in my 

name, and to remind him to practice what is incumbent 

upon him, as well as upon our house, that is submission 

to whom it is due, as our father of happy memory 



His Scholastic Life. II9 

enjoined. Illustrious Lady, I announce to you the gift 
I made of myself to his Divine Majesty by taking my 
vows on St. Catherine's day, for which, while inviting 
you, dear mother, to praise our Lord, I, at the same 
time, beg you to implore Him that I may keep them 
and advance in the state of life to which He has called 
me, so that, together, after this life is over, Ave may be 
united in the possession of Him in Heaven, where He 
is so lovingly expecting all His own. 

" I accept at the same time the offer which you made 
me, mother, in your last, of some more money for de- 
fraying the expenses of letters ; I will beg you, there- 
fore, to let me have twenty-five scudi. In conclusion, 
I recommend myself to you in our Lord, from whom I 
beg for you increase of His Holy grace in all things. 

" I am, illustrious lady, your most obedient son in 

Christ, 

" Aloysius Goxzaga, 

" Of the Society of Jesus. 
"Rome, December 11, 1587." 



120 Life of St. Aloysius. 

Filled with this spirit of humility he entered upon 
his scholastic life, resolved to mortify himself with 
such austerities, to devote himself with such energy 
to spiritual exercises, to apply himself with such 
diligence to his studies, that when called to the holy 
state of the priesthood, he should be better able, by 
his example, his every action and his learning, to draw 
more souls to God. So earnestly did he fulfill his 
resolutions, so faithfully did he adhere to the spirit 
of his vows, that even before he had completed his 
scholastic life God decreed that his life's work was fin- 
ished, and called him to his reward, to His abode of 
everlasting life, mid the joys and happiness of Heaven. 

If in his novitiate he had given evidence of sanc- 
tity, much more did he do so now. He seemed to have 
risen above himself and to be dwelling in some place 
between earth and Heaven. In his higher station, his 
humility, great before, seemed to grow in proportion to 
his position. He desired nothing more eagerly than to 
humble himself. It was his frequent practice to go to 



His Scholastic Life. I2i 

the lower end of the refectory and dine with the 
brothers- He always treated them as his superiors, 
until reprimanded by the Rector and told that he 
must not practice a humiliation which the respect due 
to the clerical tonsure rendered unbefitting. Aloysius 
received the reprimand without offering any excuse. 

About this time the young saint began to be troubled 
lest his rank and station in life before he entered the 
novitiate should influence his superiors in their con- 
duct towards him. This fear increased and Aloysius' 
surmise was confirmed by an incident which happened 
just then. 

It seems that the College at Rome was so crowded 
with priests, scholastics, novices and students, that it 
was impossible to give each one a room for himself. 
This privilege was granted only to the priests and to 
those whose health seemed to require it. Aloysius, 
always delicate, though never complaining, was con- 
sidered ill enough to have a separate room. But the 
young saint felt sure this had been given him simply 



122 Life of St. Aloysius, 

and solely because he was of noble birth. He went, 
therefore, to the superior and represented to him 
the jealousies which might arise from his having a 
room, and he thought, also, for the sake of example, it 
would be more advisable for him to have a companion. 
Another incident is related of St. Aloysius, which 
tends to show his deep love of God and his earnest 
desire of being humbled. When he had finished his 
earlier studies and before he began to teach, he went 
to the Rector of the college, and told him that he con- 
sidered himself incapable of teaching either a grammar 
or a Latin class, as he himself was neither a good 
grammarian, nor well versed in Latin. But he thought 
it better for him to teach the little ones in the lower 
sections, with whom he could grow up and thus master 
his difficulties. It seems providential, indeed, that he 
who in after years was to be the " Patron of Youth," 
who was to be held up by the fathers of the Church 
as the model for imitation, and who, throughout the 
world and in all ages, was to be invoked as the special 



His Scholastic Life. 123 

friend of the young and their intercessor with God, 
should thus prove his desire of devoting himself to the 
little ones. 

The saint was very skillful in hiding his sanctity and 
was ever offering excuses for, and making plans to hide 
his love of humiliation. This was well known through- 
out the college. So the superior, thinking this might 
be a device of Aloysius, to indulge in his love of 
humiliation, and not altogether sure as to the young 
saint's ignorance of Latin and grammar, placed in his 
room a companion capable of judging his ability. 

The superior's surmises proved correct ; as it was 
discovered that Aloysius was an excellent grammarian, 
and could speak Latin fluently. The refusal of the 
director to grant his wishes was to him a new humili- 
ation. To other persons, the refusal would have been 
sufficient, but to the mind of Aloysius it was only 
what he deserved, and so, instead of teaching children, 
he went about the streets of Rome, begging, dressed in 
shabby clothes and with a bag on his back. 



124 Lif^ ^f ^^' Aloysius. 

He loved to busy himself with the domestic duties 
of the house, sometimes assisting in the kitchen, some- 
times washing the dishes, and the work in which he 
took the most delight was bringing the food to the 
gate and distributing it to the poor. These, and tasks 
like these, were the delight of the young saint's heart. 
The more humiliating the work, and the deeper his 
abasement, the greater was his joy. 

His love of mortification, at this time, led him, some- 
times, to inflict such austerities upon himself, that the 
older fathers of the house remonstrated with him. 
They were surprised he did not scruple to importune 
the superiors, of whom he was ever asking permission 
to inflict some new penance upon himself. He replied 
that he had an inward feeling, pressing him to do so ; 
that he felt sure it was the will of God, and thus there 
could be no wrong in it. 

However, he admitted that sometimes he asked for 
things which he knew would be refused him ; but he did 
this that he might suffer the humihation of a rebuke. 



His Scholastic Life, 125 

One day, being asked why it was he would not 
take the counsel of aged and pious fathers, who 
advised him to relax his penances and mortifi- 
cations, he replied : '^ The persons who give me 
this advice are of two sorts ; some lead such 
holy and perfect lives that I can discern nothing 
in them but what is worthy of imitation, and I 
have more than once determined to abide by their 
counsels, but when I noted that they themselves did 
not observe them in their own conduct, I judged 
it better to imitate their actions than to follow the 
recommendations, which through a certain charitable 
feeling and compassionate affection they gave me. 
Others there are, who themselves do not follow the 
advice which they give me, and are not much addicted 
to penitential exercises ; but I consider it better to 
rule myself by the example of the former than by the 
counsel of the latter." 

And he added that human nature left to itself, grad- 
ually grows callous, especially in religious matters, and 



126 Life of St. Aloysiiis. 

that he doubted whether without this grace he could 
make any headway in his spiritual life. " I am a crooked 
piece of iron," he said, '' and am come into religion to 
be made straight by the hammer of mortification and 
penance." When someone interposing said that per- 
fection consisted in interior goodness and that to 
bring about this end, it was better to scourge the will 
than the body, he replied : " Yes, these things must be 
done, but the others must not be left undone." He re- 
membered the other saints of the order who had lived 
before him ; he remembered the way in which its saintly 
founder, St. Ignatius, scourged and lacerated his body ; 
he remembered what he said in the constitutions of the 
Society, that he did not command vigils, fasts, special 
prayers, and disciplines, to his religious, because he sup- 
posed them to be already so perfect and so much given 
to these things as to need rather the curb than the 
spur. 

From this, however, it must not be supposed that be- 
cause he disregarded the advice and counsels of old and 



His Scholastic Life. 127 

pious men he was ever disobedient. Far from it, to all 
to whom he owed obedience, to his superiors, he was 
most docile. Their every will he executed in the mi- 
nutest detail, and never did his exceedingly scrupulous 
conscience have a single fear on this point. 

Aloysius loved to tend the sick. It was one of his 
ways of fulfilling God's great commandment, '' Love 
your neighbor as yourself." It was his great pleasure 
to visit the hospitals ; and not satisfied with merely 
talking with the sick, comforting them with words, he 
made their beds, washed them, and attended to their 
other temporal wants. He also received, from the 
superior, permission to visit all the sick in the college 
once a day. Here all alike felt his kind influence. His 
coming was the approach of the sunlight ; his treat- 
ment gentle as a mother's. 

With all this work on his hands, besides his studies, 
one would think he had enough to keep his mind 
engaged all day. But it was not so. He still prayed 
as much as when in the novitiate, and even found 



128 Life of St. Aloysius, 

time to consider and bring to light an additional way 
of offering God honor and praise. 

Though Aloysius, from his childhood, had always 
avoided conversations on any topic save eternity and 
the things of eternity, he noticed that during recreation 
the other young scholastics and novices were inclined 
to converse on temporal matters. This grieved him. He 
wondered whether he could not bring about a change. 
The more he thought about it, the better satisfied he 
was, that with the assistance of God's grace and a little 
perseverance on his own part, his wishes could be 
accomplished. He spoke to the rector as to whether 
he favored the idea of diverting attention from all 
conversations on indifferent topics during recreation. 
Having received his consent he at once set to work. 
He first consulted Father Ubaldini, prefect of spiritual 
things, a very holy man, and begged his prayers for the 
work. Then he consulted five or six of his fellow 
scholastics whom he knew were spiritually fitted to 
enable him to carry on the design to a successful end. 



His Scholastic Life. 129 

They began by meeting now and then, during rec- 
reation to talk about sacred things. That this meeting 
might be all the more interesting, and not to be at a 
loss for a topic, Aloysius used to spend daily a half 
hour, in reading some spiritual book. After a while 
these conferences became more general, and the fol- 
lowing plan was carried out by these holy workers. 
If they happened to be speaking to inferiors, they at 
once introduced some religious subject and talked 
about it. If, however, they were talking to superiors, 
they pursued another course. Like children anxious 
to learn, they professed ignorance on some question 
and asked for explanations. In this way a change 
gradually took place and the designs of Aloysius be- 
gan to ripen. 

Another plan of the young saint was to win over 
every new novice that entered the college, and wean 
him, at the very beginning, from all worldly conversa- 
tions, so that in a short time he became one of his 
most powerful helpers. 



130 Life of St. Aloysius. 

It can easily be imagined, that in a place where many 
were zealously working for the same end, worthy of the 
highest sanction of God ; where all were devoting them- 
selves to the greater honor and glory of God, an object 
such as this must have had gratifying results. And so 
it had. In a short wdiile a decided change came over 
the whole house. The spirit of love for divine things, 
which burned so brightly in the heart of Aloysius, w^as 
kindled in the hearts of all. 

Heaven seemed to have come down on earth to rest 
in that little domain. God w^as their all. They were 
consumed with the desire to have Him with' them at 
all times. And all this was the work of the saintly 
Aloysius. Who can estimate the good he did in this 
work ? Who can tell the blessings which God show^ered 
down upon the young religious, so filled with divine 
love ? God alone knows w^hat these young men did, 
when, in after hfe they went forth to teach and to 
preach, consecrated to God, strengthened by the divine 
gift of ordination, stamped wdth the seal of God's love. 



His Scholastic Life. 131 

which must have shone with a bright flame on their 
countenances, and cast a brilHant radiance over all 
who came within its influence. Who can tell the 
many wanderers brought back to the fold, even after 
their saintly leader Aloysius had passed away from 
the world. 

From the time Aloysius entered religious life till he 
entered Heaven, once only did he emerge and visit the 
scenes of his childhood, and then it was to settle the- 
affairs of his relatives. 

The occasion was this : Orazio Gonzaga, lord of 
Solferino, had died and in his will deeded the estate 
to Duke William, of Mantua. This will was void, 
because Solferino was a free Imperial Fief, and hence 
Orazio had not the power to will it away. Ralph, 
brother of Aloysius, claimed the property as his, be- 
cause Louis, the grandfather of both Orazio and Ralph, 
and the original owner of the estate, had decreed that 
in the event of Orazio having no male heirs, it was to 
revert to the marquisate. 



132 Life of St. Aloysius. 

Thus, rightly the property belonged to Aloysius. 
Aloysius, however, when he renounced the world, had 
legally deeded to Ralph all his claims, titles and estates, 
and thus Ralph was the legal owner of the estate. 
William, however, seized the estate by force. He did 
not hold it long, however, for he died before a settle- 
ment could be made. Vincent, his son, who succeeded 
him, maintained the claim until, finally, the Imperial 
power took the case in hand and gave the estate to 
Ralph. 

This decision caused great dissension among the 
relations of Aloysius. Stories were circulated and ex- 
aggerated till fear was entertained of open warfare. 
All efforts at reconciliation had been tried and had 
failed. In this crisis it occurred to the mothers of 
Ralph and Vincent to send for Aloysius, feeling sure 
that he could bring about better feelings. Aloysius 
declined, but fearing that he was not altogether able 
to judge for himself, he spoke to his confessor. Father 
Bellarmin, about it, and asked his advice. The latter 



His Scholastic Life. 133 

after some meditation and prayer, replied : '' Go, 
Aloysius, it will be for the glory of God." 

The saint received this advice as if it were from God, 
and prepared to set out on his journey. Though its 
object must have been unpleasant to Aloysius, he 
never uttered a word of complaint. His mission was 
wholly successful. 

It was as an angel's visit to Castiglione. By his mere 
presence he seemed to extinguish the hatred and ill-will 
that burned in the breast of each, and by a word, united 
them in the bonds of friendship. He overcame every 
difficulty, calmed every trouble ; he extended his hand 
over the angry waters of dissension, and peace came 
upon them. 

While at Castiglione, Aloysius occasionally paid a 
visit to one of the houses of the Society, which was 
in the vicinity. Wherever he went, the fathers were 
struck with the remarkable piety of the youth ; they 
saw in him the counterpart of St. Charles Borromeo. 
Fr. Prospero Malacotta, whom St. Ignatius himself had 



134 J^tf^ of St. Aloy silts. 

received into the order, so admired the matured 
sanctity of Aloysius, that he bade him, when parting, 
to deliver an exhortation to the fathers of the college. 
Though it was quite an honor to be selected for this 
duty, one which none but priests ever before per- 
formed, had not obedience compelled Aloysius to do 
the task, he would have shrunk from it. 

His subject was '' Fraternal Charity," and his 
text : '' This is my commandment, that you love one 
another as I have loved you." John xv., 12. His 
words were as the words of God, and filled all with 
consolation. 

Aloysius having accomplished all he had set out to 
perform, thanking God for his mercy and goodness, 
bade his relations adieu forever and returned to Milan. 
Shortly after his return he wrote the following letter 
to his brother, a letter applicable not only to Ralph but 
one well worthy of study and practice by every young 
man who has in his heart the wish to serve and please 
God. 



His Scholastic Life. 135 

My Most Dear Brother in Christ : 

The desire I have ever had for your spiritual welfare 
and the consolation you have lately afforded me at 
Castiglione, moves me to suggest to you, according as 
the Lord shall inspire, what appears to me most useful 
for your soul. And therefore I recommend to you 
during the remainder of the Lenten season to prepare 
yourself for a general confession at Easter, or at least a 
confession which shall include the time elapsed since 
the one I know you made at Mantua five years ago. 

Thus you will render certain, as far as possible in 
this present life, that none of the offenses — of which 
you have been guilty against the Divine Majesty and 
which, possibly, you may have omitted in confessions 
which you made during the period, when, from human 
respect, you did not dare to show yourself the servant 
of Christ — shall remain in you. 

This, I believe, will be the more easy to you, because 
the difficulties you have already surmounted no longer 



136 Life of St. Aloysius. 

stand in the way ; and there is left only the fruit of 
hope, and the sure pledge of possessing God's grace. 
My dear brother, I recommend this to you very 
earnestly. 

Regarding the preservation of this grace, although 
it is the Lord who has been pleased to move your 
heart, rather than my words of kindness, as also it is 
He who must instruct and guide you, nevertheless, 
to satisfy those claims of relationship which bind me 
to you, and to co-operate as I have hitherto done, with 
the Providence of the same Lord, I propose to you 
two means in particular which occur to me. The one 
is to entertain such unlimited esteem for the grace of 
God, as cannot be expressed in words ; neither is it 
possible for anyone, save God alone, to make you fully 
comprehend it ; to Him, therefore, I leave it to teach 
you this. 

I shall say only that, inasmuch as God's grace sur- 
passes all created things, honors and possessions, and 
all else whatsoever, so, in the like measure, ought our 



His Scholastic Life. 137 

inward esteem of His Divine Majesty, to surpass every- 
thing else. The second means is to act conformably 
to this grace ; " Providing good things, not only in 
the sight of God, but also in the sight of men." 
Rom. xii., 17. 

Regarding our Blessed Lord, I will here remind you 
again of what I recommended to you when I last saw 
you, concerning His worship and service. And since 
the recommending of the virtue of religion, which we 
owe to God, seems to belong particularly to religious, 
I will give some particulars which you can put in 
practice, according to the measure of grace which the 
Lord shall give to you. 

Among these, one is that you should commend your- 
self to the Lord every morning, making use of the 
Daily Exercise, or other prayers, during which you 
might meditate on some of the points at the end of 
this little work, I send you, compiled by direction of 
our late friend, Cardinal Borromeo ; and as you will 
there meet with suggestions which you, yourself, can 



138 Life of St. Aloysius. 

read, I will not enlarge on this subject any further. 
Only I would remind you, besides, to hear mass, 
according to the agreement between us. 

Moreover, I would not have you lie down to rest at 
night Avithout having examined your conscience, so 
that if you should have any mortal sin on your soul — 
may the Lord preserve you from it — you may as soon 
as possible efface it by means of penance. Bear in 
mind that this is necessary whenever you have any- 
thing to repent of ; never wait for a specific time, such 
as Easter, for no one can assure you that you will then 
be alive. 

Next, regarding the providing of good things before 
men, I recommend to you the observance of the respect 
which you owe to your relations and superiors ; upon 
which, however, I shall say nothing, knowing 3^ou have 
this so much at heart, only, fromi my own personal 
obligation, and not from any idea that you need to be 
reminded thereof, I recommend to your tenderest care 
and devotion your dear mother. 



His Scholastic Life. 1 39 

Moreover, as the head of your brethren, you know 
how much it behooves you, both to have them united 
to you and to behave in such a manner towards them, 
as to make this union dear to them. 

As to your vassals, I simply observe that God has 
perhaps given them unto your charge in a special and 
peculiar manner, solely to signify to you the special 
and spiritual care which you ought to have of them, 
and recognizing that the treatment of God towards you, 
should be a pattern of your treatment towards them. 

For the rest, I hope that God will lead you in the 
way of eternal life ; for the attaining of which, with you 
and others, I have embraced my present state of life. 
Meanwhile, for the confession that I spoke of at the 
beginning, 1 propose to you for your spiritual father, a 
father of our Society, who, from the obligations of our 
order, is well versed in these matters. 

If you go to Mantua, I strongly recommend to you 
Father Matha for the office. He was the confessor of 
our friend Duke William. But should you not leave 



140 Life of St. Aloysius. 

Castiglione, I have already made arrangements with 
the Father Rector of Brescia, whereby he will speedily 
provide you with a confessor whenever you ask for 
one. 

Herewith, I conclude, and as the execution of what I 
here recommend to you, must be the work of Divine 
grace, more than of your own efforts and my exhorta- 
tions, I offer and promise ever to recommend you in 
my prayers, such as they are, to His Divine Majesty; 
and may He preserve and guide you to that happy end 
to which His elect shall attain. 

Your brother in the Lord, 

Aloysius Gonzaga, 

of the Society of Jesus. 

Milan, March 17th, 1590. 

Aloysius had now dismissed all worldly cares from 
his mind and applied himself once more to the 
study and practice of what would bring him nearer to 
God. 



His Scholastic Life, 141 

He added to the mortifications he formerly inflicted 
on himself the deepest humiliations; he meditated 
and prayed, and in all seemed to be trying to make up 
for the time he lost while traveling and settling outside 
affairs. It was about this time that the angel appeared 
to him and announced the approach of death. Great 
indeed was his joy : the highest hope, the greatest 
desire of his pure soul was to be obtained — he was 
soon to be united to God forever. 

Though he made known to no one the angel's visit 
to him, and though he undoubtedly tried to conceal any 
signs of unusual happiness, still we can believe with 
certainty that his companions thought something 
wonderful had happened to him, from the fact that 
his constancy in prayer and his utter oblivion of 
all surroundings during his meditations, caused an 
examination to be made regarding his vocation. 
And the special test made by the learned Fr. 
Achilles Gagliardi, was to find out whether Aloysius 
had a special supernatural gift of prayer and whether 



142 Life of St. Aloysius. 

this love of prayer in him was an obstacle to the 
active life. 

The test proved, to the entire satisfaction of Father 
Gagliardi, that Aloysius had the rare gift of uniting 
the contemplative and active lives without the slight- 
est injury to either. 

Aloysius, knowing that he was soon to die, had but 
one desire, and that was to return to Rome, for as he 
himself tells us, if he had a home at all on earth it 
was at Rome, where he had first lived in Christ. He 
felt that it was there he wished to die, and though 
great, indeed, was his desire to return to Rome, still 
out of a wish to appear perfectly unconcerned as to 
his place of abode, he mentioned it to no one except 
to one of the Fathers, and to him only that he might 
pray to God to find out His wishes. 

God heard his prayers and favored the young saint's 
desire ; for about this time the Rector of the Roman 
College, Father Rossignoli, begged the Father General 
to recall Aloysius to Rome because his life and actions 



His Scholastic Life. 143 

were such a source 01 edification to the other young 
men. Accordingly the Father General ordered Aloysius 
to set out for Rome. He started on his journey in May, 
1590, accompanied by several Fathers of the Society. 

One afternoon, soon after they started, they came to 
a stream which had been swollen by a sudden rain- 
storm. They did not know what to do, there was no 
way of getting around it, for it was utterly impassable. 
A short time before, eighteen persons who had at- 
tempted to cross had been drowned. 

While the others were deliberating, Aloysius was on 
his knees praying. Suddenly he looked up and a little 
distance away saw a youth crossing and re-crossing the 
turbulent stream as if it were but a little brook. Aloy- 
sius jumped up and pointing to the spot where he had 
seen the youth said : '^ There is the ford." 

Whereupon they proceeded to the spot and crossed, 
with forty other people, without any difficulty what- 
ever. Upon looking around for the mysterious guide 
he could not be found, and Father Mastrilli, companion 



144 Life of St. Aloysius. 

of Aloysius, said that it must have been an angel who 
made the ford that the j^oung saint might pass. When 
Aloysius arrived at Rome among the first words he 
spoke were the following to Father Cepari : *' I have 
buried my dead and need think no more of them ; it is 
time for us to prepare for another life." 

From that time he seems to have almost forcrotten 

o 

that he lived on earth. He desired to rid himself of 
everything that might in any way serve to remind him 
of earth, and so gave what he cherished most, his 
spiritual and theological writings, to the Rector, saying 
that he wished to be freed from everything. 

He lived as in a long, continued ecstasy. He prayed 
constantly, and seemed to forget altogether even his 
desire to hide his sanctity, for so wrapt up in God was 
he, that even during recreation he was seen to fall on 
his knees and remain there in prayer, absolutely for- 
getful of his surroundings. 

In his walks up and down the garden, priests and 
scholastics occasionally passed beside him and in front 



His Scholastic Life. 145 

of him, saluted him, and in other ways tried to 
distract him, but all in vain ; he never saw or noticed 
them. 

As time went on, Aloysius' abstraction increased, as 
did the reverence in which he was held by those who 
knew him. We are told that one celebrated preacher 
had such reverence for the young saint that he could 
never muster up enough courage to speak to him, 
though he had very many opportunities and very 
greatly desired it. 

We have now followed our beautiful patron through 
twenty-two years of his saintly life. We have seen 
him, a young noble, rich and honored, renounce the 
world and all it holds dear, to embrace a life of mortifi- 
cation, poverty and pra5^er. We have seen him a 
novice in the Society of Jesus, a model and an example 
for the young religious the world over. We have seen 
him a scholastic, inspired with a supernatural knowl- 
edge of divine things, teaching alike by his example 
and his words, children and grown people, priests and 



146 Life of St. Aloysius. 

bishops. But here we pause, and leave for another 
chapter the final acts of a holy life sealed with the 
stamp of God's love by a glorious death. 



Chapter VI. 

DEATH OF ST. ALOYSIUS. 

TF in his life St. Aloysius was an example of how a 
good Christian ought to live, no less in his death 
has he shown us how a true Christian should die. His 
was a noble death, though not at the hands of the 
executioner. 

It is true, he was not a martyr. No torturer racked 
his limbs or tore his fiesh ; nevertheless, he suffered 
the keenest torments for the love of Jesus Christ. 

He had always been delicate. Even when a boy he 
had been troubled with weak lungs, and when he 
entered the Society of Jesus his constitution was very 
much enfeebled. In vain was he sent from one place to 



148 Life of St. Aloysius. 

another in the hope that the change would benefit him. 
It was God's will to take him to Himself early in life. 

For many years he had been troubled with a con- 
stant headache. Troubled, we said, but to Saint 
Aloysius it was no trouble, rather a most convenient 
means of mortification. He did not desire to remedy 
this headache ; on the contrary he would secretly dis- 
pose of medicines given him for his relief, while he 
tried by all legitimate means to aggravate the mere 
pain when he had discovered that it would do him no 
real injury. 

This he did that he might have a perpetual reminder 
of what his Lord had suffered for him. After he joined 
the Society, Aloysius began to long for death, that he 
might be more intimately united with Christ. 

At Milan, one morning, about a year before his 
death, while making his daily meditation, it was re- 
vealed to him that soon his desire would be fulfilled. 
As we may suppose, he was overjoyed at this welcome 
news ; but he kept it secret from all except Father 



His Death. 149 

Vincent Bruno, until he returned to Rome, where he 
communicated it to a chosen few, and then began to 
prepare himself for the end. 

If such a thing were possible, he turned his thoughts 
heavenward more than ever before. He firmly be- 
lieved he had a true revelation, and was determined to 
be prepared for the happy moment of his death. 

All his conversations, of whatever kind, he was 
sure to turn to God. He did not think it wrong to 
speak of earthly subjects, but considered heaven a far 
more profitable one and more suitable to his tastes. 

He was whole-souled in his desire to be detached 
from all earthly things. In fact, he kept nothing that 
was not absolutely indispensable. He slept in what 
was in reality a store-room. There was a bed, a wooden 
chair, a kneeling stool, which he also used as a writing- 
desk. For books he had a copy of the Scriptures and 
the works of St. Thomas, until he heard that some less 
fortunate companion was seeking the latter, upon 
which he immediately made it over to him. 



150 Life of St. Aloysiits. 

A few months before his death he began to long 
more and more for its speedy approach, alleging that 
while now he had some reason for hoping in God's 
mercy, so great were the responsibilities of later life, 
that he feared he might not be able to bear them, and 
thus might imperil his soul. During the plague he earn- 
estly sought his superiors to allow him to tend the sick. 

They were reluctant to grant the privilege to one so 
delicate, but finally yielded to his entreaties. They 
might well hesitate, for shortly, the disease spread 
among the young Jesuits, and a very dear friend of 
Aloysius, Tiberius Bondi, was the first to be carried off. 
" O how willingly," cried Aloysius, '' would I change 
places with Tiberius and die in his stead, if God our 
Lord would grant me this favor." 

It seemed that his prayer was heard, for on the third 
of March, he himself was stricken. The immediate 
cause of his infection is said to have been his carrying 
to the hospital, on his back, a poor wretch whom he 
picked up in the streets, in the last stages of the disease. 



His Death. 151 

To this person he ministered with the most devoted 
care, and as a reward carried off the deadly germs of the 
malady. He took to his bed and thought he would 
now surely die, and greatly rejoiced ; but to his joy suc- 
ceeded fear lest his desire for death were inordinate. 

However, he was assured by his confessor that it was 
not an unusual grace to wish for death in order to be 
united with God, for many saints had such desires. 

His illness rapidly increased, till on the seventh day 
it was thought that the end had come. He received 
the Viaticum and Extreme Unction at the hands of the 
Rector, F. Bernard Rossignoli, devoutly making the 
responses to the prayers himself. Then he addressed 
all present, and to some, who had often complained 
that he had inflicted excessive austerities on himself 
and that he would repent of it on his death-bed, he said 
that he had for them not the slightest feelings of 
remorse. 

Furthermore he asked the Provincial to allow him to 
discipline himself. Upon being told he was too weak. 



152 Life of St. Aloysius. 

he asked F. Francis Belmisseri to beat him from head 
to foot. This was also denied him, and as a last request 
he desired to be laid on the floor to die. Even this 
was refused. 

Though all expected his death immediately, he still 
lingered, for the disease had left its mark, and the 
violent attack was followed by a slow hectic fever. For 
three long months he lingered on, growing weaker 
daily, his devotion ever increasing. He noticed some 
old curtains around his bed, while his fellow sufferers 
in the infirmary had none. He desired them to be re- 
moved, saying it was against poverty to have more than 
his companions, and he was satisfied only on being 
assured that they were placed there for a former occu- 
pant, and were in no way contrary to the spirit of 
poverty. When he was offered something to allay 
the violence of his cough, he put it aside. Again 
when the doctor ordered to him and another invalid 
bitter draughts, the latter disposed of his quickly, 'while 
Aloysius sipped his slowly as if it were delicious. 



His Death. 153 

In such small things as these, it was, that he showed 
his perfection of self denial. In his conversation he 
dwelt entirely on God and heavenly things, nor did he 
allow himself to be distracted for a moment. On these 
matters he conversed with others, but as soon as the sub- 
ject changed he retired within himself and gave himself 
up to contemplation. It was thought a great favor to see 
him and speak with him. His kinsmen the Cardinals 
Delia Rovere and Scipio Gonzaga frequently visited 
him and derived the greatest edification from his 
presence and conversation. 

When told they would be notified of Aloysius' condi- 
tion regularly, they said that they preferred to come 
to him themselves. Meanwhile he was losing strength 
more and more, till he could hardly drag himself from 
his bed. Nevertheless, he frequently insisted upon 
getting up and tottering to a table on which stood a 
crucifix. This he would reverently kiss, then make 
the round of some pictures of saints on the wall, which 
he called his stations. He would kiss them and pray 



154 L^f^ of St. Aloysius. 

before them and would not allow the infirmarlan to 
bring them to his bed. 

Sometimes when no one was near he would leave 
the bed and throw himself upon the floor to pray. Once 
the infirmarian came into the room softly, and there be- 
held Aloysius on his knees on the floor. Like a child 
caught in the act of wrong-doing, he most humbly 
begged pardon of the brother and promised never to 
do it again. 

A very affecting incident was his leave-taking with 
Father Corbinelli. This was the old priest, whom he 
had so long and carefully tended. Both were now 
dying, and neither could go to see the other, so they 
sent daily greetings. But this was not sufhcient, for on 
the eighth day before his death, the father requested 
to be allowed to see Aloysius for the last time. 

Upon hearing this, Aloysius instantly begged the 
infirmarian to dress him and carry him in. This was 
done, and the mutual joy of the two dying religious 
was beautiful to behold. 



His Death. 1 55 

They talked of the heavenly home to which they 
were both shortly going, exhorted each other to bear 
sufferings patiently and begged for each other's 
prayers. Finally, when Aloysius was about to leave, 
the aged priest begged his blessing. Of course Saint 
Aloysius was frightened at this proposal, and protested 
that it was by no means fitting for him, a mere schol- 
astic, so young and unworthy, to presume to bless a 
priest. On the contrary, it was the part of the other, 
as a priest and the older person, to give the blessing. 

Nevertheless Father Corbinelli persisted in his re- 
quest and bade the infirmarian not to move Aloysius 
till he had complied. He felt he was in the presence 
of a saint, far superior to himself in spiritual per£ection. 
The infirmarian added his voice to that of the Father, 
till at last Aloysius yielded to their solicitations, en- 
deavoring at the same time to co-ordinate his aged 
friend's requests and his own sense of humility. 

So, taking holy water and signing himself and the 
priest with the sign of the cross, he said : " My father 



156 Life of St. Aloysiiis. 

may God, ever Blessed, bless us both, and fufiU your 
holy desires ; pray for me, and I will pray for you." 
Aloysius Avas carried away and shortly after this the 
father died. They wished to keep the news from the 
saint, but it was impossible. On the night of his death 
he appeared thrice to Aloysius in a dream, the first 
time to tell him that he was in his agony, the second to 
beg Aloysius' prayers to help him to bear his terrible 
sufferings, and the third time to say that he was dead. 
So vivid was the impression that the saint was un- 
able to sleep any more that night. He afterwards 
said to Father Bellarmin that Father Corbinelli had 
but passed through purgatory ; and so confidently did 
he assert it that it was taken as undoubted truth. 
More than once his friends exhorted him to pray for 
his own recovery, knowing full well the power of his 
prayers. But he firmly refused, answering in the 
words of Saint Paul, he would prefer to pray for his 
immediate death, so anxious was he to reach his 
eternal home. 



His Death. 157 

So far did he carry this desire that he feared to be 
detained in purgator}' for it. Once he asked his con- 
fessor, Father Bellarmin, if he thought anyone ever 
went directly to heaven. That father repHed that he 
firmly thought so, and furthermore was certain Aloy- 
sius would. On hearing this the saint fell into an ec- 
stasy, in which he remained all night, although as he 
afterwards said, it seemed to him but one moment. 
In the morning he announced that he would die in 
eight days — on the octave of Corpus Christi. 

His belief was strengthened by Father Vincent 
Bruno, who told him he could not live more than a few 
days. On receiving this intelligence his joy was inex- 
pressible. '' Have you heard the good news that I re- 
ceived? I am to die in a Aveek's time," he said to Father 
Bellarmin. '' Pray join with me in saying a Te Deum 
to thank God for the great favor he has granted me." 
Soon after another priest entered : '' My father," he 
cried, '' we go, rejoicing; we go rejoicing." 

He was so sure of his approaching death that every 



158 Life of St. Aloysius, 

day he called Father Guelfucci to him, had him close 
the door, place the crucifix on the table and then they 
recited the Penitential Psalms with great devotion. 

In his other rehgious exercises he was, if possible, 
more assiduous than ever; as he knew how short his 
time was. Besides his meditations and prayers, he had 
many books on eternal life and spiritual things read to 
him; St. Augustine's soliloquies, St. Bernard on the 
Canticles, and certain psalms were his favorites. 

He was unwilling to take any medicines to relieve his 
pain, for fear that the long wished for day might be 
postponed. The rumor spread that he had but a few 
days to live and many came to visit him, and gave him 
messages to deliver when he should get to Heaven. He 
accepted them all with such child-like simplicity and 
confidence, that we well might think him presumptuous, 
if we did not know his character and virtues. 

On the third day before his death, Father Guelfucci 
presented him with an indulgenced crucifix, and this 
he kept on his bosom till he died. Thus the last days 



His Death. 159 

of the saint passed in almost continual contemplation 
and prayer, till finally the day dawned which he had 
prophesied would be his last. 

Early in the morning Bernard Mizzetti entered the 
room and addressed Aloysius: ''See, Brother Aloysius, 
we have reached the octave of Corpus Christi, and on 
this day you said you were going to die ; still we have 
hope that you will live." 

And, indeed, it seemed as if Aloysius were to prove 
a false prophet, for he seemed stronger and brighter 
than usual. However, he simply answered; "The day 
is not yet finished to-day I shall die." 

Mizzetti called the head infirmarian, and he, after 
examining the condition of the dying saint, said to 
him: " Believe me, Aloysius, you are better." Here- 
joined, "You think I am better, nevertheless, according 
to the will of God, I shall die this evening." Then he re- 
quested the Viaticum to be given him, but the infir- 
marian did not deem it necessary. 

When the other members of the house visited him, 



i6o Life of St. Aloysius. 

they found his condition so much improved that some 
even suggested that he be sent to Frascati; but hap- 
pily this advice was not taken. He still kept begging 
for the Viaticum, but was refused as gently as possible. 
He then requested to be laid on a straw mat, and to 
be allowed to die on the floor, and even desired to dis- 
cipline himself. As we may suppose, these requests 
were again denied him. 

Towards evening a great solace was given to Aloy- 
sius. The Pope sent him his blessing with a plenary 
indulgence. Aloysius was overjoyed at this great 
favor, but he was covered with confusion to think that 
one so insignificant should be remembered by the head 
of the Church. 

So earnest Avere the entreaties of Aloysius that at 
last the Rector, Father Rossignoli yielded and prom- 
ised to bring him what he so earnestly desired, the 
Viaticum. Aloysius Avas filled with the liveliest grati- 
tude for this favor and warmly thanked the father 
Rector. 



His Death, i6i 

All who were in the house followed the Blessed 
Sacrament to the infirmary, and knelt around while it 
was administered to their dying brother. They were 
moved to tears, while Aloysius expressed no emotion 
except the greatest joy and devotion, mingled with the 
desire of seeing Him in His glory, whom he now saw 
under a veil. Then he lovingly embraced all present, 
bidding them a tender farewell, begging their prayers, 
while he promised to remember them in the presence 
of his Lord. 

So certain was he of going to Heaven shortly, that 
when the Provincial said to him, ** Well, Brother 
Aloysius, how is it with you now?" He replied, 
*' Going, Father." ''Whither?" ''To Heaven." 
"How so to Heaven?" "If my sins do not offer 
a hindrance, I leave by the mercy of God to go- 
there." 

A little later he showed once more his desire to imi- 
tate as closely as possible the death of Christ. Father 
Cepari had placed on the bed a crucifix, indulgenced 



1 62 Life of St. Aloysius. 

for the moment of his death, and was supporting him 
so that he might keep his eyes fixed upon it. Al- 
though he was so sure of his approaching end, never- 
theless, those around him could not believe that it was 
so near. 

Accordingly all left the room except Fathers Guel- 
fucci and Fabrini. Father Bellarmin also stayed a 
short time, until he had recited the prayer of the dy- 
ing, then he too, departed. The others busied them- 
selves about the room, or knelt in prayer, while Aloy- 
sius lay in contemplation, now and then murmuring: 
*' Into thy hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit," or 
the holy name of Jesus. 

Two or three times Father Guelfucci asked if he 
could do anything for him. The answer was : 
" Watch with me and assist me, for I shall die." 
About midnight the father went to him once more, 
and then it was that Aloysius asked to be changed 
from one side to the other, as the pain from the bed- 
sores was growing insupportable. 



His Death, i6,^ 

It was noticed that the pallor of death was coming 
upon his countenance, and that large beads of sweat 
stood out on his brow. The fathers saw that the hand 
of death was at last upon him and they whispered 
words of encouragement to bear his sufferings in re- 
membrance of the sufferings of Christ. 

Then his countenance lighted up and showed that 
he understood. Fixing his eyes upon the crucifix be- 
fore him, he grasped with one hand that which lay 
upon his bosom, while with the other he held a blessed 
candle, then striving to murmur the holy name of 
Jesus, he breathed out his pure soul into a better 
world. 

Thus departed in peace and calm this great saint on 
the octave of Corpus Christi, on the night between the 
twentieth and twenty-first of June, fifteen hundred and 
ninety-one. He had reached the age of twenty-three 
years, three months and eleven days; of which five 
years and seven" months had been spent as a member 
of the Society of Jesus. 



164 Life of St. Aloysius. 

Almost a boy in years, he had attained to mature 
hoHness ; it was the end of a Hfe short in time but long 
and well spent in virtue. 

It has already been said that Aloysius suffered tor- 
ments at his death. This is literally true. For when the 
brothers came to arrange the body for burial they found 
on it many sores, resulting from three months' continual 
lying in bed, while on his side were two great wounds, 
of which he had not made the slightest mention. 

Though they must have caused him exquisite 
torture, he never complained or gave signs of uneasi- 
ness till shortly before death — and then only for a 
moment. 

So Aloysius died, not in the palace of his ancestors, 
but on a hard couch, almost alone, unknown save by 
the few with whom his last years were spent. 

"He might have chosen to die on a rich bed, sur- 
rounded by gentle, loving attendants, and everything 
that could make easy the passage from one world to 
another. Or he might have fallen gloriously on the 



His Death, 165 

battle-field, at the head of a victorious legion, fighting 
for his country and for fame. 

But would this have been of lasting benefit? His 
name might have been written in letters of gold 
on the pages of history, and spoken of as all that 
denoted glory and honor. Yet what would this avail, 
since he might have been 

" Cut off even in the blossoms of his sin," 
and so have paid for a few years of earthly pleasure, 
an eternity of hopeless mourning. 

How short is the time of this glory on earth consid- 
ering all that is forfeited to gain it. For a few short 
years his name would have been lauded to the skies, 
he would then have died from the memory of man, till 
finally none would know of him except as a fleeting 
glory in the records of the past. 

This is the result of the soldier's efforts. On the 
contrary, see what was the real outcome of his mode 
of life. A few years he toiled and suffered for an end. 
And was that end fame? Ah, no; it was something 



1 66 Life of St. Aloysius, 

incomparably greater than mere worldly honor! It 
was not a short span of years of human glory, glory 
of no profit to the immortal soul, it was for the ever- 
lasting glory of the joys of Heaven. 

The ancients of a more philosophic turn of mind 
well recognized the emptiness of earthly glory, often 
without seeing the higher state. They saw around 
them every day, men striving for an olive crown and a 
name, and then content to die. Socrates, Plato, and 
Juvenal appreciated the foolishness of such conduct. 
The last of these wrote: "Weigh Hannibal. How 
many pounds will you find in that great leader, whom 
all Africa could not contain? " 

The mind of Aloysius, young in years but old in 
wisdom, when it came to the meeting of the roads that 
ran to fame or to Heaven, well chose the path that led 
to Heaven ; but in choosing that, it proved, even to him, 
the path of undying fame, with a nobler record than 
was ever won by worldly hero, be he patriot, king, or 
soldier. 



Chapter VII. 

THE HONOR TO HIS MEMORY AND 
MIRACLES. 

A LOYSIUS had lived a hidden life ; he had filled 
''^ none of those external occupations that could 
have made known his sanctity to the world, and yet 
immediately after his death it was God's will that the 
sweet perfume of his heroic virtues should be spread 
throughout the earth. 

The pious marchioness, his mother, received from 
every quarter numberless assurances of the high esteem 
in which her beloved son was held. Fr. Claudius 
Aquaviva, General of the Society of Jesus, writing to 
her, says : " Henceforth Your Excellency has a dear 
and faithful intercessor in Heaven, where his blessed 



1 68 Life of St. Aloysius, 

soul, as we believe, has already entered." This was the 
opinion held by many other persons in Rome, among 
others by the Rector of the Roman College, Cardinal 
Scipio de Gonzaga, and Cardinal della Rovere. 

So universal, indeed, was the idea held of his sanctity 
that on the day of his burial, as is declared by Thomas 
Mancini, Secretary of the Cardinal della Rovere, the 
people gathered in great crowds to obtain some portion 
of his relics, and many noblemen were most eager in 
their endeavors to secure some slight souvenir of the 
saint. 

In the Courts of Florence, of Ferrara, of Turin, of 
Parma, he was at once invoked as a saint, and of the 
many royal personages who bore testimony to his 
sanctity those loudest in his praise were Rudolph II., 
Emperor of Austria; Charles Emanuel L, Duke of 
Savoy; Maria de Medicis, Queen of France; Philip III., 
King of Spain ; and Margaret of Austria. 

Still more significant, however, is the opinion of the 
Cardinal Bellarmin. In such high esteem did he hold 



The Honor to His Memory and Miracles. 169 

the holy youth that on each recurring anniversary of 
the saint's death the venerable old man might be seen 
kneeling at the tomb of his former penitent while tears 
of consolation coursed down his cheeks, as he recalled 
the last farewell of his dear son and the sweet converse 
they had held together. 

In an exhortation addressed to the Community in the 
Roman College he declared that when giving the Exer- 
cises of St. Ignatius to Aloysius, he found him filled 
with such an abundance of light on spiritual things that 
he, old man though he was, was taught by him the art 
of meditation. 

Shortly after, writing to Fr. Cepari, he said : " I 
believe that he entered at once into the glory of the 
Blessed," and when he himself was on the point of 
rejoining his young friend, his last request was that his 
body might be buried at the feet of his spiritual child. 

But, as if in confirmation of all these testimonies of 
holy and distinguished men, the Heavens themselves 
open to reveal the glory of the saint. 



1^0 Life of St, Aloysiiis. 

In 1590, Fr. Virgil Cepari was Rector of the College 
at Florence and Confessor at the Monastery of Santa 
Maria de los Angelos, where Mary 'Magdalen de Pazzi 
then lived as Mother Superioress. He gave the Com- 
munity a relic of Aloysius, a bone of one of the fingers. 
On the 4th of April, 1591, the Mother was distributing 
fragments of the relic to the Religious assembled about 
her, when she was wrapt in ecstasy. 

She saw Aloysius in glory, and as was her wont in her 
visions, she uttered aloud what she saw. One of the 
Nuns noted down her words : '' O, how great is the 
glory of Aloysius, the young son of Ignatius ! Can 
there be greater glory in Heaven than that which 
Aloysius possesses ? I declare that Aloysius is a great 
saint. Would that I could traverse the whole earth to 
proclaim it everywhere to God's greater glory ! Who 
could imagine the merit and the price of an interior 
life ! Aloysius was a hidden martyr. Oh how great was 
his love of God while on earth ! For this reason does 
he now possess his God in the fullness of divine love." 



TJie Hoiior to His Memory and Miracles. 171 

When, in the year 1601, this writing was shown to her 
by the Archbishop of Florence, Alexander de Medicis, 
she assured him on oath, that she had seen in vision 
what was there narrated. 

The sanctity of Aloysius was further attested by the 
many miracles he has wrought. In 1593, two years 
after his death, he appeared in glor)." to his mother and 
cured her of a dangerous illness. Camilla Ferrari, who 
had known Aloysius in his infancy, was at the point of 
death when on invoking the saint she was instantly 
cured. The authenticity of this miracle was recognized 
by the Tribunal of the Rota. 

In Castiglione twelve lamps and four hundred ex- 
votos were hung in testimony of the favors he had ob- 
tained for his own people. 

In Florence, the Archbishop of that place counted 
in 1753, fifty-eight miracles wrought by the saint. 
One of the most remarkable of these was the sudden 
restoration to health of Julia de Nobili, wife of the 
Senator Paul Virita, secretary of the Grand Duke 



172 Life of St. Aloysius. 

Ferdinand of Tuscany. She was carried in a dying 
condition to the Church of the Society, and after 
repeating three times a prayer to St. Aloysius she was 
cured and returned on foot to her own home. 

The holy Aloysius seemed to have a special care for 
his beloved brethren in religion. Joseph Spinelli, a 
young scholastic, was studying philosophy at the Col- 
lege of Palmero in 1635. He was struck with paralysis. 
He prayed to St. Aloysius and the saint appeared to 
him and cured him instantly. In 1765 another scho- 
lastic, Louis Celestini, studying rhetoric at the Novitiate 
of San Andrea, was cured of a mortal illness through 
the intercession of our saint. 

Pope Benedict XHI. named Aloysius as the special 
patron of youth and particularly of students. It is not 
surprising, therefore, if the gentle saint has always re- 
served for students the greatest portion of his favors. 
Besides the miracles already spoken of, there remain 
many things to say that will show to young people 
by what obligations they are bound to this kind 



The Honor to His Memory and Miracles. 173 

protector, 2.nd how great is the confidence they should 
have in his intercession. 

In the year 1605 there Hved in the Roman College a 
boy of noble family, and of angelic piety. But his 
mind was so dull that he could learn nothing. Hence, 
however much he labored, he never made any progress 
in his studies, scarcely understanding a word of what 
was said in class, becoming on this account a source of 
much amusement to his comrades. One day as he left 
the class-room, covered with shame and more dejected 
than ever, he ran all bathed in tears to the tomb of St. 
Aloysius, poured out to him his grief, and begged of the 
saint to obtain for him that he might cease to be but a 
useless block of wood unable to respond to the care of 
his teacher. He was heard, and so effectually, that he 
was able to hang at the altar of the saint the following 
ex-voto : 

" Ex-voto : On account of my dullness I have hither- 
to been the last in my class. I had recourse to St. 
Aloysius and implored his help at his tomb. Scarcely 



174 Life of St. Aloysius. 

had ten days passed before I felt my mind illumined 
by a new light and I have since been enabled, as my 
teacher assures me, to continue my studies with profit." 

In 1700, a little boy who studied at the college of the 
Society of Jesus at Innsbruck, had his face and hands 
severely burned by an explosion of powder. The 
wounded parts were rubbed with the oil of the lamp 
that burned before the tomb of St. Aloysius, and in 
less than a quarter of an hour the boy was cured. 

Again, in 1728, a boy in one of the schools in Rome 
was badly injured while at play, by being struck on the 
head by a stone weighing three or four pounds. He 
fell to the ground unconscious. The prefect had him 
carried to a hospital near-by. As he passed by the 
church he stepped in and said a short prayer to St. 
Aloysius. He had scarcely finished when the boy re- 
covered his senses, got up and returned to the school. 
The next morning all that remained of the deep wound 
he had received was a slight scar. This wonder was 
beheld by many witnesses. 



The Honor to His Memory and Miracles. 175 

But if this amiable saint is so willing to help his 
clients in their temporal needs what has he not done 
for the spiritual wants of their souls in helping them to 
make progress in virtue ? And, indeed, it is evident 
that God has placed Aloysius in Heaven to be the 
model and the apostle of Christian youth on earth. 

It would be impossible to tell all the good that has 
resulted during the past three hundred years from the 
reading of his life. The venerable Cardinal Bellarmin 
declared in speaking of his angelic friend : *' God has 
been pleased to exalt his young servant that all young 
persons may know that youth is not an obstacle to the 
attainment of mature virtue, and knowing this may be 
animated by his example to seek after perfection." 

The students of the Roman College seemed to be 
the especial favorites of the saint, and it is quite natural 
that it should be so, for during his life he himself had 
received his lessons in those halls, and after his death 
his tomb remains there as a throne of glory from which 
he dispenses his favors. 



iy6 ■ Life of St. Aloysiiis, 

The venerable Father Francois Marie Galuzzi who 
for twenty years was the spiritual director of most of 
the students, noted down, year after year, the graces 
that were obtained in each triduum preparatory to 
the Feast of St. Aloysius. 

The 2 1st of June was called by Father Anthony 
Baldinucci the " Devotional Feast," on account of the 
extraordinary fervor that he remarked in the students 
on that day as they approached the Holy Table. 
Father de Benedictis declared that it was a known fact 
that this Feast was always remarkable for the singular 
graces of conversion and vocation that were obtained. 
It may be well to narrate some of them. 

A student of the Roman College was living a crimi- 
nal life and had entirely given up the sacraments. A 
few days before the Feast of St. Aloysius, he entered 
the church by chance and made a visit to the Tomb of 
the Saint. Suddenly he feels an entire change come 
over his heart ; he hastens to throw himself at the feet 
of a confessor, makes a general confession of his past 



The Honor to His Memory and Miracles, 177 

life with all the sentiments of perfect contrition, 
and from that day began to lead a life of piety and 
fervor. 

Another student told his confessor as he came to 
confession : " I did not want to come, I felt so much 
repugnance and shame ; but Aloysius urges me to come 
and it is he who brings me here by main force." 

The father of a numerous family had a little boy of 
very frail health, who studied at the Roman College. 
The child hearing the life of St. Aloysius read during 
the triduum, was so inflamed with a desire to imitate 
him that he abandoned his playthings for long hours of 
prayer and gave up his meals for bread and water. 
His father and his older brothers were so touched by his 
example, that they embraced a life of great devotion. 
The house became, as it were, a monastery. 

They passed much time in prayer, assembled to- 
gether for meditation ; until at length four of the boys 
embraced a religious life to the great joy of their father, 
who found himself thus blessed in his children. 



178 Life of St. Aloysius. 

At Lucerne, there lived a young man who gave him- 
self up to a life of dissipation. He was counselled by 
a friend to have confidence in St. Aloysius, and to prac- 
tice in his honor the devotions of the six Sundays. He 
did so, but was overcome by discouragement and fell 
again into his bad life. One day, while he was alone 
in his room, a picture of the Saint that was hanging on 
the wall was hurled to the floor with such a great noise, 
that the miserable young man, filled with fear, fell down 
in a swoon. On recovering, he threw himself on his 
knees before the picture, and from that moment was 
sincerely converted. 

In the Roman Marty rology, the Feast of St. Aloysius, 
the 2 1st of June, is announced in these terms: *'At 
Rome, St. Aloysius Gonzaga, celebrated for the inno- 
cence of his life and his contempt for the world," and 
from his abode in Heaven he has sought to infuse into 
the hearts of the more fervent of his servants a special 
love of these two virtues for which he was so remark- 
able. 



The Honor to His Memory and Miracles. 179 

Among the persons who in this respect have imitated 
more perfectly their charming model, are to be num- 
bered his three nieces. They became the founders of 
a famous monastery at Castiglione, which long continued 
to be a source of edification and glory to all Italy. 
They were the three daughters of Ralph, brother of St. 
Aloysius, Cynthia, Olympia and Angelica. Cynthia 
lived at Rome, with her uncle, Francis of Gonzaga, and 
while there thought only of the vanities of the world. 

Suddenly she fell sick, and during her sickness, 
which lasted for four months, she was aroused by the 
counsels of Fr. Cepari. She examined her life, and 
gradually felt a complete change come over her soul. 

She thought of the great example of her uncle 
Aloysius, and was so filled Avith disgust for the vain 
things of the world that, after having made the spiri- 
tual exercises of St. Ignatius, she abandoned all that 
she had previously cherished, and gave herself up to a 
life of prayer and mortification. 

Finally she resolved to consecrate her virginity to 



i8o Life of St. Aloysius. 

God, and this she did on the Feast of Corpus Christi, 
1606. Soon after she besought her uncle Francis to 
build at Castiglione a convent for those who sought 
perfection in religion, and a church for the Fathers 
of the Society of Jesus, whom she desired to direct 
her in the religious life. 

Shortly after, Olympia, who had always led a most 
exemplary life in emulation of her saintly uncle, joined 
her sister at Castiglione. Angelica for a long time re- 
sisted the example of her sisters and continued to lead 
a worldly life. At length, however, owing to the coun- 
sels of Fr. Cepari and to the intercession of Aloysius, 
she also embraced the life of religion at the Convent of 
Castiglione. 

It is known to God alone how many generous souls 
have been drawn to the way of evangelical perfection 
by the example of St. Aloysius. The holy youth de- 
lights to inspire others with a desire for a religious vo- 
cation, which he himself esteemed so highly and for 
which he fought so valiantly while on earth. 



TJie Honor to His Memory mid Miracles. i8i 



May his life be in the future what it has been to so 
many in the past: a Hght, an inspiration, a guide to 
lead souls from time to eternity, from earth to heaven. 



APPENDIX. 



1 86 Life of St. Aloysius, 

Written for the First Century. 
Imago Primi S^culi. 

NON INFERIORA SECUTUS. 

SUBLIMES aquilae, volucrum generosa propago, 
Ausae oculis Phoebi solicitare jubar; 
Et vos Gonzagae, qui non sine numine Divum 

Quatuor antiquum stemma notatis aves ; 
State alacres, fixasque acies intendite coelo ; 

Explorare novo stemmata sole juvat. 
Cernite quos ignes, radios quos spargat Jesus; 

Quae nova coelesti lampade flamma miscet. 
Caligant vultus. Oculos Aloysius unus 

Figit, et obtutu mens animosa salit 
Quin (adeo baud oculos hebetant nova lumina) clamat, 

O ! mihi, Phoebe, novas ejaculare faces. 
Vivimus his, Jesuque tuo recreamur ab igne ; 

Eia, oculos radio jam propiore feri, 
Desero, quod possum, patrem, patriamque, laremque ; 

Ut te sole queam sic propiore frui, 
Terra vale. Genitor quid pugnas ? mitte querelas. 

Non te, non proavis inferiora sequor, 
Invideas, frater, si credas: quosque relinquo 

Discedens titulos, tu quoque ferre neges. ^ 
Me genus et stirpem juvat ipso arcessere coelo: 

Pro titulis JESUS omnibus unus erit. 



Life of St. Aloysiiis. 1 87 

Translated for the Third Century. 

ST. ALOYSIUS. 



LIKE eagles, noble birds of lofty flight 
Who dare ascend the clear celestial height 
And tempt the gleaming sun, 
So you, Gonzagas of most noble line 
Who boast, through pleasure of the will Divine, 
Four branches old, stand firm with fixed gaze 
And look to heav'n. Now, of your noble race 
Appears the noblest one. 

Behold what splendor Jesus spreads, what rays ! 
What new star glistens with a heavenly blaze? 

The visage burns with love. 
One, Aloysius only, fixes there 
His searching eyes, and midst the steady glare 
Which cannot his pure sight bedim, with heart 
That sympathetic, throbs at every dart 

He sends his cry above. 

O cast on me thy beams, O Light Eterne, 
By these we live ; and, Jesus, let love burn 

Within my lowly breast. 
Behold ! my eyes now nearer reach thy light. 
All I resign : my titles and my right, 
My parents loved, my home and fatherland. 
That I with Thee may dwell, with Thee may stand 

And aye by Thee be blest. 

False earth, farewell ! O father grant my plea ! 
What I desire is not unworthy thee 

Nor any of thy hall. 
Ah ! brother, do not envy, but decline 
To bear the honors which I now resign. 
To heav'n I call and for my titles claim 
But one alone, my Lord's my JESUS' name, 

For that to me is all. 



LEO PP. XIII. 

T TNIVERSIS Christifidelibus praesentes Litteras 
^^ inspecturis salutem et Benedictionem Apostoli- 
cam. 

Opportune quidem et auspicate contingit ut XL ka- 
lendas iulias hoc anno sacra sollemnia in honorem 
Sancti Aloisii Gonzagae trium sseculorum a beatissi- 
mo exitu eius elapso spatio sint memori pietate pera- 
genda. Nuntiatum Nobis est, ex faustitate huius even- 
tus mirabili amore pietatisque studio exarsisse animos 
christianorum adolescentium, quibus optima sane huius- 
modi occasio visa est, ut suam in coelestem- iuventu- 
tis Patronum voluntatem et reverentiam multiplici 
significatione testarentur. Et id quidem evenire vide- 
tur non in iis tantum regionibus quae sanctum Aloi- 



TRANSLATION OF BRIEF OF 

POPE LEO XIII. 

TO all the faithful, reading these letters, health and 
Apostolic benediction. 

The twenty-first of June of the present year shall be 
especially distinguished as being the tercentenary of 
the saintly Aloysius Gonzaga. 

This timely and most auspicious event shall be fit- 
tingly commemorated by religious solemnities, devoutly 
instituted in his honor. 

Already has it been made known to us that the hap- 
piness of this occasion has enkindled within the hearts 
of our Catholic young men a wonderful love and burn- 
ing desire of piety. And what more fitting opportunity 
may be presented them of showing in sundry ways the 
heaven-born affection and reverence felt by all towards 
this celestial patron of youth ? 

These pious and reverential feelings have been mani- 
fested not in those parts only which were favored by 
the life and death of the Saint, but burn brightly, far 
and wide, in all places wheresoever has been heard his 
name or the story of his holy life. 



IQO Life of St. Aloysiiis. 

sium terris coeloque genuere, sed late ubicumque Aloi- 
sii nomen et sanctitatis fama percrebuit. Nos iam a 
tenera aetate angelicum luvenem summo pietatis studio 
colere assueti, cum haec novimus, periucundo Isetitiae 
sensu affecti sumus. Deo autem opitulante confidimus 
eiusmodi sollemnia non vacua futura fructu christianis 
hominibus, nominatim adolescentibus qui Patrono tu- 
telari suo honores cum habebunt, in cogitationem fa- 
cile deducentur clarissimarum virtutum quibus Ille 
quoad vixit ceteris in exemplum enituit. Quas quidem 
virtutes cum secum cogitent et admirentur, sperandum 
est fore ut adiuvante Deo animum mentemque suam 
ad eas velint informare, studeantque fieri imitatione 
meliores. Neque certe catholicis iuvenibus proponi 
potest praestantius ad imitandum exemplum illisque 
locupletius virtutibus quarum laude florere iuvenilem 
aetatem desiderari maxime solet. Ex vita enim et mo- 
ribus Aloisii possunt adolescentes documenta plurima 
capere, unde ediscant qua cura et vigilantia vitae integ- 
ritas et innocentia sit servanda, qua constantia casti- 



Pope Leo XI 11. 191 

Of a truth, unbounded has been our own joy on hear- 
ing this, for from our tenderest years we ourselves have 
ever striven to cherish a loving homage towards this 
angelic youth. 

And we sincerely trust that these devotions, com- 
memorative of his holy life, may not be vain, but rather 
productive of the greatest good among all Christians, 
but especially among the young, who, while paying 
their tributes of affection to their patron and guardian, 
will, we are confident, be led to the sweet contempla- 
tion of those virtues which made Aioysius, while on 
earth, a quickening example to all. 

For it is confidently to be hoped that, recalling to 
mind his holiness of life, they will endeavor, with the 
divine assistance, to fashion their own lives after his, 
and thus make daily greater efforts to advance in the 
way of perfection. 

And what grander example may we propose to our 
Catholic young men ? Where find one richer in those 
noblest virtues which are the chief ornaments of youth ? 
Study Aloysius's life and actions ! how many lessons 
are not presented to the young, of the care and watch- 
fulness necessary to preserve their own lives spotlessly 
pure ! of the fidehty with which they should keep their 
bodies in due subjection and restrain the too great 
eagerness of their desires ! Hence may they draw the 



192 Life of St. Aloysius. 

gandum corpus ad restlnguendos cupiditatum ardores, 
quomodo despiciendae divitiae contemnendique hono- 
res, qua mente atque animo turn studiis vacandum turn 
cetera omnia aetatis suae officia et munia implenda, 
quodque his praesertim temporibus maximi est mo- 
menti, qua fide quo amore sit Ecclesiae matri et Apos- 
tolicae Sedi adhaerendum. Siquidem Angelicus Adoles- 
cens seu domesticos inter parietes degeret, seu nobilis 
ephebus in Aula Hispanica versaretur, seu animo vir- 
tute et doctrina excolendo operam daret in Societatem 
lesu abdicato principatu adscitus, ubi quod in votis 
habuerat et praeclusum dignitatibus aditum et vitam 
omnem proximorum saluti sibi unice impendendam 
esse gestiebat, talem in omni vitae genere sese impertiit, 
ut facile ceteris omni laude antecelleret et praeclara re- 
linqueret sanctitatis argumenta. Quapropter sapienti 
sane concilio qui christianae iuventuti instituendae et 
erudiendae praeficiuntur, sanctum Aloisium proponere 
Solent tamquam nobilissimum ad imitandum" exem- 
plum, obsequentes consilio decessoris Nostri Benedicti 



Pope Leo XI I L 193 

knowledge that riches are to be despised and honors 
spurned. Here, too, they have unfolded before them 
the peerless example of intense earnestness and 
minutest exactness in all things, whether in the pursuit 
of knowledge or in the exercise of the various other 
ordinary duties of their young life. 

But pre-eminently does Aloysius stand forth in these 
times of change and unrest, as a shining exam.ple to all 
of a son filled with ardent love of Holy Church and 
staunch devotion towards the Apostolic See. 

For consider him during those boyhood days passed 
beneath the parental roof ; watch him as a young noble 
in the performance of his duties at the court of Spain ; 
study him, w^hen casting aside all worldly preferments, 
he enters the Society of Jesus, that there, cut off from 
every approach to dignities, he may use his utmost 
endeavors to become holy and learned and devote 
his entire life to the salvation of those around him : 
weigh well his every deed, and it will be plain that, 
truly an angelic youth he performed every action of 
his life with so pure a motive, as easily to excel all 
others in virtue, leaving to all glorious testimonials of 
his sanctity. 

Those, then, whose duty it is to watch over the 
formation and education of Christian youth, very 
wisely present St. Aloysius as a model nobly worthy of 



194 Life of St. Aloysius, 

XIII. qui iuventuti studiis deditae praecipuum Patronum 
coelestem Aloisium constituit. Quare egregiam sane 
meritorum laudem sibi comparare videntur illae catholi- 
corum iuvenum societates, quse non modo in italicis 
sed etiam in externis urbibus sunt institutse eo propo- 
sito, ut huiusmodi Aloisiana sollemnitas singulari cultu 
celebretur. Nos non latet quantum studii operaeque 
illae contulerint in apparandis honoribus qui toto orbe 
catholico Angelico luveni deferentur et quantam adhi- 
beant curam ut catholicorum pietate pariter ac numero 
praestent piae peregrinationes vel ad natale solum 
Aloisii vel ad banc almam Urbem quae castas eius exu- 
vias asservat et colit, suscipiendae. Pueris etiam, ut 
accepimus, puellisque oblata est ratio testandi Aloisio 
puri amoris et pietatis suae quasi primitias: pagellae 
enim late sunt diffusae, augustis iam Nominibus in qui- 
bus ipsi se parentesque tamquam famulos et clientes 
inscribant. Singulari huic in re optima ardori et Sanctis 
eiusmodi propositis et votis cupimus atque optamus ut 
bonus faustusque iuvante Deo exitus obtingat. Interea 



Pope Leo XII I . 195 

imitation ; in this, prudently following the wish of our 
predecessor, Benedict XIII., who named the saintly 
Aloysius the especial heavenly patron of students. 

Surely, great, indeed, is the praise merited by those 
young men who, not in Italy only, but also in various 
other parts of the world, have banded together for 
the purpose of taking a peculiar share in the solemnities 
to be held in honor of St. Aloysius. 

We ourselves well know that throughout the entire 
Catholic world these clients of Aloysius are vying with 
one another in doing him honor, and with all zeal and 
earnestness are working that the pilgrimages made 
either to his native land or to this cherished city, still 
guarding his chaste remains, may be glowing tributes, 
remarkable alike for the veneration shown and the num- 
ber of the faithful therein participating. 

The little ones also are afforded a happy opportunity 
of dedicating to Aloysius the first fruits of a pure and 
faithful affection, for, as we have learned, far and wide 
are to be found albums already ennobled by the sig- 
natures of persons of the highest rank, in which may be 
inscribed both the names of children and those of their 
parents as the saint's faithful clients. 

God grant that so wonderful a fervor manifested in 
this truly noble undertaking and so many prayers and 
endeavors may be productive of most happy results. 



196 Life of St. Aloysius. 

cum admotae nuper sint ad Nos preces ut in uberiorem 
animarum fructum coelestibus Ecclesiae thesauris banc 
sollemnitatem ditare et decorare velimus, Nos piis hisce 
precibus benigne adnuendum censuimus. Quamobrem 
de Omnipotentis Dei misericordia ac BB. Petri et Pauli 
App. Eius auctoritate confisi, omnibus et singulis utri- 
usque sexus Christifidelibus qui triduanas quotidie vel 
quinquies saltem novendialibus supplicationibus quae 
habendae sunt ante Aloisiana soUemnia diebus a res- 
pectivo loci Ordinario designandis, et vel ipso die festo 
vel uno ex dictis diebus ad cuiuscumque arbitrium sibi 
eligendo vere poenitentes atque confessi ac S. Commu- 
nione refecti quamlibet Ecclesiam seu Oratorium publi- 
cum, ubi festum S. Aloisii celebrabitur, devote visita- 
verint, ibique pro christianorum Principum, concordia, 
haeresum extirpatione, peccatorum conversione ac S. 
Matris Ecclesiae exaltatione pias ad Deum preces effu- 
derint, Plenariam omnium peccatorum suorum Indul- 
gentiam et remissionem misericorditer in Domino con- 
cedimus. lis vero fidelibus qui corde saltem contriti 



Pope Leo XIII . 197 

And that a plentiful harvest of souls may be reaped, 
we ourselves affectionately yield to the pious entreaties 
of those who have lately besought us to enrich and 
adorn this occasion with the treasures and graces be- 
stowed from on high upon Holy Church. 

Trusting, then, in the tender mercy of Almighty God, 
and in the authority of His blessed Apostles, Peter and 
Paul, we mercifully grant in the Lord a plenary indul- 
gence and full remission of their sins to all such as, 
truly penitent and having purified themselves in the 
Sacrament of Confession and received Holy Com- 
munion, shall visit some church or public oratory, 
where the Feast of St. Aloysius is celebrated, and there 
pray for the promotion of peace among Christian 
princes, the extirpation of heresies, the conversion of 
sinners and the exaltation of Holy Mother Church. 

As a further condition, however, necessary to gain 
these indulgences, the faithful must pray for the above- 
named intentions daily during the triduum, or on five 
at least of the days of the novena prescribed by the 
Ordinary as preparatory to the Saint's festival ; and 
they must approach the Holy Table on the feast itself, 
or on one of the days assigned for its solemnization. 

Moreover, following the wonted practice of the 
Church, we grant an indulgence of seven years and 
seven times forty days to those of the faithful who will 



198 Life of St. Aloysius. 

pias peregrinationes ad memorata loca confecerint, et 
parvulis etiam pro eorum captu eorumque parentibus 
qui nomina ad promerendum Aloisii patrocinium in- 
scripserint, dummodo triduanis vel novendialibus sup- 
plicationibus, ut supra dictum est, adstiterint, septem 
annos totidemque quadragenas in forma Ecclesiae con- 
sueta relaxamus. Quas omnes et singulas indulgentias, 
peccatorum remissiones ac poenitentiarum relaxationes 
etiam animabus christifidelium, qua? Deo in charitate 
coniunctae ab hac luce migraverint, per modum suffra- 
gii applicari posse indulgemus. Praesentibus hoc anno 
tantum valituris. Volumus autem ut praesentium Lit- 
terarum transumptis seu exemplis etiam impressis, 
manu alicuius Notarii publici subscriptis et sigillo per- 
sonae in ecclesiastica dignitate constitutae munitis ea- 
dem prorsus fides adhibeatur, quae adhiberetur ipsis 
praesentibus, si forent exhibitae vel ostensae. Datum 
Romae apud S. Petrum sub annulo Piscatoris die I. 
lanuarii MDCCCXCI. Pontificatus nostri anno" XIII. 

M. Card. Ledochowski. 



Pope Leo XIII. 199 

undertake a pilgrimage to the places made memorable 
by St. Aloysius. 

And this indulgence we likewise extend even to the 
children, as far as they are capable of profiting by it, 
and to all parents who will have enrolled their children 
among those invoking the patronage of Aloysius, pro- 
vided they comply with the above-named conditions of 
the triduum or novena. 

We also grant that all and each of these indulgences, 
pardon of sin and remission of punishment, be ap- 
plied by way of suffrages to those faithful souls who 
have departed this life united to God by the bond 
of charity. 

These privileges hold good only during the present 
year. 

We wish that the credence shown to these letters 
themselves, should be in like manner given to all 
printed copies thereof or public translations, signed by 
a notary public and attested by the seal of some eccle- 
siastical dignitary. 

Given at Rome under the seal of 
the FisJiernian s ring, January 
/, i8gi^ in the thirteentJi year 
of our Pontificate. 

M. Cardinal Ledochowski. 



TRIDUUM AND NOVEXA 

OF 

THE TERCENTENARY 

OF THE DEATH OF ST. ALOYSIUS GOXZAGA, 
PATROX OF YOUTH. 

'T^HE three hundredth anniversary of the death of 
■■■ St. Aloysius Gonzaga, Patron of Youth, falls on 
the 2 1 St of June of the present year. The Holy See, 
by a Brief dated Januar\^ i, 1891, has granted special 
privileges to its celebration, for the churches of the 
whole world. 

i^. A Plenary' Indulgence for the Triduum or for 
assisting five times at the Novena, to be gained on the 
Feast itself or any day of the Triduum or Xovena. A 
visit to the church or chapel where the Feast is cele- 
brated is required, on the usual conditions of Confession 
and Communion with prayers for the intentions of the 
Sovereign PontifT. 

2 °. To Pilgrims and to the children who place them- 
selves under the protection of St. Aloysius, and to their 



202 Life of St. Aloysius. 

parents who thus enroll them, an Indulgence of seven 
years and seven quarantines. 

All these indulgences are applicable to the Souls in 
Purgatory. 

3°. In all the churches of the world which celebrate 
this Anniversary, the Mass of the Saint may be said for 
three days, beginning on the Feast itself. 

All the privileges and Indulgences require the usual 
consent of the Ordinary. 

A great Pilgrimage will be made to the Saint's tomb 
in Rome. For those who are not able to join this Pil- 
grimage for the 2 1st of June, special spiritual favors 
have been granted by the Holy Father, on condition 
that they unite in spirit with the Pilgrims and place 
themselves under the patronage of St. Aloysius; and 
parents may do this in the name of their young children. 
In memory of the Tercentenary there is to be placed 
in the tomb of the Saint, an album containing the names 
of the young children whose parents consecrate them 
to St. Aloysius. 



From the Raccolta, 

ST. ALOYSIUS GONZAGA. 

Devout Exercise. 

pOPE CLEMENT XII., in order to inspire the 
faithful, and especially the young, with greater 
devotion toward the angelic youth, St. Aloysius Gon- 
zaga, granted by two decrees of the S. Congr. of In- 
dulgences, December nth, 1739, and January 17th, 
1740: 

A Plenary Indulgence on each of the six Sundays 
which are wont to be kept in honor of this saint, either 
immediately before his feast, on June 21st, or at any 
time of the year. In order to gain this Plenary Indul- 



204 Life of St. Aloysius. 

gence, it is requisite that the six Sundays should be 
kept consecutively ; and that on each of them, the 
faithful, being truly penitent, after confession and com- 
munion, should employ themselves in pious medita- 
tions or vocal prayers or other works of Christian piety, 
in honor of the saint. 

On the Day of his Feast. 

The Sovereign Pontiffs, Benedict III, by a decree, 
November 22d, 1729, Clement XII, by a decree No- 
vember 2 1st, 1737, and Benedict XIV, by a decree, 
April 1 2th, 1742, granted : 

A Plenary Indulgence to all the faithful who, being 
truly penitent, after confession and communion, shall 
visit an altar dedicated to St. Aloysius Gonzaga, on the 
day of his feast, and pray for the wants of Holy Mother 
Church, and for the intention of His Holiness. 

This feast may be celebrated, with permission of the 
Ordinary, on any day of the year, in any place, at any 
altar, as appears from the decree cited above. 



Prayer. 20= 



Prayer. 



O Blessed Aloysius, adorned with angelic graces! I, 
thy most unworthy suppliant, recommend specially to 
thee the chastity of my soul and body, praying thee by 
thy angelic purity to plead for me with Jesus Christ, 
the immaculate lamb, and His most Holy Mother, the 
Virgin of virgins, that They would vouchsafe to keep 
me from all grievous sin. O ! never let me be defiled 
with any stain of impurity; but when thou dost see me 
in temptation, or in danger of falling, then remove far 
from my heart all bad thoughts and unclean desires, 
and awaken in me the memory of my eternity to come 
and Jesus Crucified ; impress deeply in my heart a 
sense of the holy fear of God ; and thus, kindling in 
me the fire of divine love, enable me so to follow thy 
footsteps here on earth, that in heaven, with thee, I 
may be made worthy to enjoy the vision of our God 
forever. Amen. 



2o6 Life of St. Aloysiiis. 

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father. 

To increase more and more devotion toward St. Aloy- 
sius Gonzaga who, from the time of his canonization, 
was given by Benedict XIII. as the special protector of 
the young, the Sovereign Pontiff, Pius VII., by a decree 
of the S. Congr. of Indulgences, March 6th, 1802, 
granted to all the faithful who, with at least contrite 
heart and devotion, shall say this prayer, with one Our 
Father, Hail Mary, and Glory be to the Father : 

An indulgence of one hundred days, once a day. 



THE SIX SUNDAYS. 

" T^HE manner of performing the devotion of the 
six Sundays is as follows: 

^' First, on each of these Sundays let the person who 
performs this devotion choose St. Aloysius as his patron 
and receive the sacraments of penance, and the Holy 
Eucharist. 

'' Second, on that day let him be present at some 
sodality meeting, or at least hear a mass in honor of 
the saint. 

" Third, let him recite each day either before some 
statue or picture of the saint, or in the church, six Our 
Fathers and Hail Marys, with the Glory be to the 
Father, the Litany of the Saint, etc. 



2o8 Life of St. Aloysius. 

''Fourth, let him perform some Work of Mercy, 
spiritual or corporal, according to his ability or devo- 
tion. 

'^ Fifth, let him spend some time in meditating ; for 
the subject of meditation on each Sunday, let him take 
one of the Virtues, which St. Bonaventure finds ex- 
pressed in the wings of the Seraphim seen by the 
prophet Isaias. These virtues are:- compunction of 
heart, satisfaction of penance, cleanness of body, purity 
of mind, love of God, and love of our neighbor. With 
these virtues, as with so many wings, did the angelic 
youth, Aloysius, fly to such a height of perfection, as to 
resemble, in some manner, the very angels themselves. 



THE LITANY OF ST. ALOYSIUS. 

T ORD have mercy on us. 
"*— ' Christ have mercy on us. 
Lord have mercy on us. 
Christ hear us. • 

Christ graciously hear us 
God the Father, have mercy on us. 
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on 
us. 

God the Holy Ghost, have mercy on us. 

Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy on us. 

Holy Mary, 

Holy Virgin of virgins. 

Holy Mother of God, 

St. Aloysius, [- Pray for us. 

Most Beloved of Christ, 

The delight of the Blessed Virgin, 

Most chaste Youth, 



2IO 



Life of St. Aloysiiis. 



Angelic youth, 
Most humble youth, 
Model of young students, 
Despiser of riches, 
Enemy of vanities, 
Scorner of honors. 
Honor of princes, • 

Jewel of the nobility, 
Flower of innocence. 
Ornament of the religious state, 
Mirror of mortification. 
Mirror of perfect obedience. 
Lover of evangelical poverty. 
Most affectionately devout, 
Most zealous observer of Rule, 
Most desirous of the salvation of 
souls, 

Perpetual adorer of the Eucharist, 
Particular client of St. Ignatius, 
Be merciful unto us, O Lord. 



^ Pray for us. 



The Litany of St. Aloysius. 



211 



Deliver us, 
O Lord. 



Graciously hear us, O Lord. 
From the concupiscence of the eyes, 
From the concupiscence of the flesh. 
From the pride of life. 
By the merits and intercession of 
St. Aloysius, 

By his angelical purity, 

By his sanctity and glory. 

We sinners, we beseech thee to hear us. 

Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world 

Graciously spare us, O Lord. 

Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world. 

Hear us, O Lord. 

Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world. 

Have mercy on us. 

Christ, hear us. 

Christ, graciously hear us. 

Lord, have mercy on us. 

Christ, have mercy on us. 

Lord, have mercy on us. 



212 Life of St. Aloysius, 

Our Father, etc. Amen. 
V. Pray for us, St. Aloysius. 

R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of 
Christ. 

LET US PRAY. 

O God, the distributor of heavenly gifts, who didst 
join in the angeHc youth, Alo3^sius, wonderful inno- 
cence of life with an equal severity of penance ; grant, 
through his merits and prayers, that we, who have not 
followed the example of his innocence, may imitate his 
practice of penance. Through our Lord, Jesus Christ. 
Amen. 



THE STUDENTS' PRAYER 



TO ST. ALOYSIUS. 

A NGELIC youth, Aloysius, by the particular ap- 
''*■ pointment of God's vicar upon earth, patron of 
students ! thou who hast illustrated the church by a 
holy contempt of an earthly principality, but more by 
thy innocence, the sanctity of thy life, and the glory 
of thy miracles ! allow me from this day to choose and 
adopt thee patron and protector of my life and studies, 
firmly resolved to follow the example and pattern, as 
well of piety as of industry, thou hast placed before 
me. For the love thou hast for Jesus Crucified, and 
His most blessed Mother, receive me as thy client and 
obedient servant ; aid and assist me in the pursuit of 
virtue and learning ; nourish and increase in me purity 



214 Life of St. Aloysius, 

of body and mind ; turn away the snares laid against 
my chastity ; ward and defend me from the dangers of 
the world ; inspire my heart with a true and filial con- 
fidence in the ever blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of 
good counsel ; govern and direct me in my choice of a 
state of life, and let the grace of God be my perpetual 
defence against all mortal sin ; that as thou always 
didst live in purity and integrity truly angelical, so, as- 
sisted by thy patronage, and aided by the grace of 
God, I may live in purity and holiness in this world, and 
deserve to be associated with thee and united to the 
company of angels in heaven. Amen. 



HYMN TO ST. ALOYSIUS. 

ANGELIC youth! bright heaven's treasure, 
And a joy to those below, 
Be our model in our life-time, 
Be our guard against the foe. 

Though to all so dear, beloved, 

Who to you for comfort fly, 
Yet to us your brother students 

You are bound by closer tie. 

Like a lily in its whiteness. 

Gentle, pure, and oh! so fair; 
Yet you lived through all your life-time 

In rude penance and in prayer. 

How the world gleamed bright before you, 

High and royal prize at stake. 
Yet you put aside the tempter, 

And you fought for Jesus' sake. 

In the way of truth and virtue 
You have shown the royal road, 

While you tell us who the King is. 
And you point to His abode. 

Oh, how just you were and faithful 

To your God and fellow-men ; 
May we also in the battle 

Be as brave as you have been. 



REMEMBRANCES. 

"T^EAR, dead memories, these of years agone, 
^"^^ 'Till by Death's hand, or Time's or Duty's call, 
Away we shall be summoned, one by one, 
Until the silent tomb shall gather all. 

Yet, through these years, until we meet again, 
These college days will live a fragrant past ; 

Yea! and when heart-sick, reaching joy through pain, 
Backward, — regretful, — will our thoughts be cast. 



CONTENTS 



Title Page, . 

Dedication, 

Dedication to St. Aloysius, 

Editor's Preface, 

Author's Preface, . 



W. S. Creeden 



H. H. O'Connor 



Chapter 
Chapter 



I. — St. Aloysius 



his Birth and Early Life, 

R. S. Tierney 

II. — His Innocence and Spirit of Penance, 

W. S. Creeden 
T. F. Rourke, 

Chapter III. — His Youth, Studies and Vocation, 

T. F. Burke 
Chapter IV. — His Novitiate Life, . F. S. Prunty, 

Chapter V. — His Scholastic Life, . G. J. Gillespie 

Chapter VI. — His Death, . . H. S. Sayers 

Chapter VII. — The Honor to his Memory and Miracles, 

II, W. McLaughlin 

Appendix, ...... 

Poem of the First Centenary, 

Translation for the Third Centenary, 

Brief of Pope Leo XIII., .... 

Regulations for the Triduum and Novena, 
Special Prayers, ..... 

Devotion of the Six Sundays, 

Litany of St. Aloysius, .... 

Student's Prayer to St. Aloysius, . 

Hymn to St. Aloysius, 

Remembrances, ..... 



I 

3 

5 

7 

II 

17 

43 

75 
loi 

117 

147 

167 
183 
186 
187 
188 
201 
203 
207 
209 
213 
215 
217 



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LIFE OF 

ST. ALOYSIUS GONZAGA. 

TERCENTENARY EDITION. 

Edited by Rev. J. F. X. O'Conor, S. J., 

Written by the Students of Rhetoric, '92. 

ST. FRANCIS XAVIER'S COLLEGE, 

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